Ciresi’s bill to prevent confusion in insurance ambulance reimbursement

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    October 3, 2024 | 3:56 PM

HARRISBURG, Oct. 3 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today introduced legislation (H.B. 2618) designed to prevent confusion when patients receive insurance reimbursement checks for ambulance services.

According to Ciresi, many people receiving these payments from their insurance company in the mail misspend the funds, not realizing the money is to pay for an ambulance ride or other EMS services and are then liable for delayed or missed payments to the EMS provider, collection efforts, or even theft charges.

Ciresi stressed that EMS providers are losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in needed revenue as a result of this confusion and are forced to divert resources to trying to collect that money.

“My legislation would resolve this confusion by simply requiring a noticeable, red-colored letter to be included with any insurance reimbursement checks for EMS services sent directly to the patient,” Ciresi said. “The letter would clearly explain the purpose of the check and outline the patient’s responsibilities so that they don’t keep or spend it by mistake. At a time when our EMS agencies are already struggling with funding, they would greatly benefit from this simple solution to a chronic issue that is causing them financial distress.”