What HB 506 does: (Note: HB 506 was a bill related to Medicaid reimbursement for tobacco cessation. However, the Senate removed the original language and replaced it with SB 462, which was the Senate’s ground ambulance surprise billing bill.) Extends Georgia’s surprise billing protections to emergency ground ambulance transportation. HB 506 would cap what patients pay for out-of-network ambulance rides at the same amount they’d pay for in-network rides, and prohibit ambulance companies from billing patients for the rest. The bill sets a minimum payment rate for ambulance companies at the locally negotiated rate, or, if none exists, at the lesser of 325% of Medicare rates or the billed charges.
Consumer impact: Georgians currently face unexpected ambulance bills ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, even with insurance. HB 506 would close that gap in Georgia’s surprise billing law.