By: Perry S.B. No. 183

(In the Senate - Filed November 12, 2020; March 3, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on Health & Human Services; May 10, 2021, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 10, 2021, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 183 By: Seliger

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to emergency medical services subscription programs and reciprocity agreements between certain air ambulance companies operating a subscription program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 773.011, Health and Safety Code, is amended by amending Subsections (b) and (e) and adding Subsections (d-1) and (d-2) to read as follows:

(b) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules establishing minimum standards for the creation and operation of a subscription program. The rules must:

(1) ensure the protection of public health and safety; and

(2) for an air ambulance subscription program:

(A) ensure compliance with federal laws and rules related to air ambulance subscription program services; and

(B) establish minimum standards and objectives for the delivery of air ambulance emergency medical services provided in accordance with a reciprocity agreement entered into under Subsection (d-1).

(d-1) To ensure maximum geographic coverage for patients covered under an air ambulance subscription program, an air ambulance company that operates a subscription program in a service delivery area shall, in accordance with executive commissioner rules, enter into a reciprocity agreement with each other air ambulance company that operates a subscription program in that area.

(d-2) An air ambulance company operating a subscription program is exempt from the application of Subsection (d-1) if the company:

(1) does not own any emergency medical services vehicles; and

(2) pays for all out-of-pocket expenses related to emergency medical services provided in this country by any emergency medical services provider.

(e) The Insurance Code does not apply to a subscription program established or a reciprocity agreement entered into under this section.

SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement Section 773.011, Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2022.

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