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

The bill also extends the expiration date for certain provisions from September 1, 2025, to September 1, 2027. It specifies that the changes in law will only apply to emergency medical services provided on or after the effective date of the Act, ensuring that services rendered prior to this date will be governed by the existing law. The Act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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