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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