The bill amends several sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to align the quality assurance fee for the ambulance transport fund with federal regulations. Key changes include the adjustment of reimbursement rates for emergency ambulance transports, which will now be calculated annually based on the available fee amount and the number of transports. The authority is tasked with determining these rates and ensuring that the increased payments are funded solely through the quality assurance fee and federal reimbursements. Additionally, the bill establishes a framework for assessing quality assurance fees on ambulance transport providers, including the calculation of the fee rate based on projected gross receipts and emergency transports.

Significant amendments include the removal of specific dates for fee calculations and the introduction of a new structure for determining the quality assurance fee rate for fiscal years until June 30, 2026. The bill also outlines the authority's ability to adjust fees based on actual or projected amounts and sets forth procedures for notifying providers of their fee assessments. Furthermore, it clarifies definitions related to the ambulance transport program, including terms like "aggregate fee schedule amount" and "emergency ambulance transport," ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the program's framework and requirements.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 74.70.060, 74.70.050, 74.70.020