Bobby Singleton sponsors legislation for improvements to ambulance services

Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton has sponsored SB269, a legislation that a press release from his office said will "revolutionize" the way that ambulance services are paid. 

According to the release EMS technicians cannot be paid for ambulance services when care is rendered on site if someone refuses to be transported to an emergency room. 

Patients also receive surprise bills for the portion of an ambulance ride that insurance does not cover. 

Singleton's press release stated that technicians will be paid for on-site services and patients will no longer receive these bills if the legislation passes on Jan. 1 in 2027. 

"This bill is about trying to make sure that ambulance services are getting adequate reimbursements," he said. 

It sets up a pilot program that is expected to expire in 2029, the press release states.

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"Data will be collected on every run and sent to the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Alabama Association of Ambulance Services," Singleton said. 

He further stated that, though insurance companies will pay higher reimbursement rates, the bill will overall save money as it would help reduce the amount of ambulance rides if technicians can treat a person on-site and be available for another call. 

It will particularly be helpful in rural areas, he said, as ambulance services are the only option for some communities lacking in hospitals. Others have reduced services because of low funding. 

"This bill includes in-network and out-of-network services, and all the major insurance companies, along with PEEHIP, CHIP and Medicaid funding," Singleton said. 

The Alabama Association of Ambulance Services, the press release reports.