Senate Bill No. 916 aims to enhance consumer protections regarding medical and health care billing practices by emergency medical services (EMS) providers in Texas. The bill introduces new provisions that allow the department to revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew the license or certificate of an EMS provider if it is confirmed that the provider has intentionally submitted incorrect information or has engaged in a pattern of violations of specified sections of the Insurance Code. Additionally, the bill amends several sections of the Insurance Code to clarify the process for political subdivisions to adjust rates submitted under Section 38.006, allowing for annual adjustments based on the Medicare Ambulance Inflation Factor or a maximum of 10 percent of the previous year's rates.

The bill also extends the expiration date for certain provisions from September 1, 2025, to September 1, 2027, ensuring that these consumer protections remain in effect for a longer period. The changes in law will apply only to emergency medical services provided on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. This ensures that any services rendered before this date will continue to be governed by the existing laws.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 773.061, Insurance Code 38.006, Insurance Code 1271.159, Insurance Code 1275.054, Insurance Code 1301.166, Insurance Code 1551.231, Insurance Code 1575.174, Insurance Code 1579.112 (Insurance Code 1301, Insurance Code 1271, Insurance Code 1579, Health and Safety Code 773, Insurance Code 1551, Insurance Code 1575, Insurance Code 38, Insurance Code 1275)
Senate Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 773.061, Insurance Code 38.006, Insurance Code 1271.159, Insurance Code 1275.054, Insurance Code 1301.166, Insurance Code 1551.231, Insurance Code 1575.174, Insurance Code 1579.112 (Insurance Code 1301, Insurance Code 1271, Insurance Code 1579, Health and Safety Code 773, Insurance Code 1551, Insurance Code 1575, Insurance Code 38, Insurance Code 1275)
Engrossed: Health and Safety Code 773.061, Insurance Code 38.006, Insurance Code 1271.159, Insurance Code 1275.054, Insurance Code 1301.166, Insurance Code 1551.231, Insurance Code 1575.174, Insurance Code 1579.112 (Insurance Code 1301, Insurance Code 1271, Insurance Code 1579, Health and Safety Code 773, Insurance Code 1551, Insurance Code 1575, Insurance Code 38, Insurance Code 1275)