S.B. 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 specific sections of the Insurance Code. Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the Insurance Code to clarify that political subdivisions may adjust rates submitted under Section 38.006, with specific limits on the adjustments based on the Medicare Ambulance Inflation Factor or a percentage of the previous year's rates.

The bill also extends the expiration date for certain sections of the Insurance Code from September 1, 2025, to September 1, 2027. This change applies to emergency medical services provided on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. The legislation passed both the Senate and the House unanimously, indicating strong bipartisan support for the proposed consumer protections.

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 1579, Health and Safety Code 773, Insurance Code 1275, Insurance Code 1301, Insurance Code 1575, Insurance Code 1551, Insurance Code 1271, Insurance Code 38)
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 1579, Health and Safety Code 773, Insurance Code 1275, Insurance Code 1301, Insurance Code 1575, Insurance Code 1551, Insurance Code 1271, Insurance Code 38)
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 1579, Health and Safety Code 773, Insurance Code 1275, Insurance Code 1301, Insurance Code 1575, Insurance Code 1551, Insurance Code 1271, Insurance Code 38)
House 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 1579, Health and Safety Code 773, Insurance Code 1275, Insurance Code 1301, Insurance Code 1575, Insurance Code 1551, Insurance Code 1271, Insurance Code 38)
Enrolled: 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 1579, Health and Safety Code 773, Insurance Code 1275, Insurance Code 1301, Insurance Code 1575, Insurance Code 1551, Insurance Code 1271, Insurance Code 38)