Sen. Farry's EMS Transport Bill Advances Past Senate Committee

Legislation that would expand the types of facilities where emergency medical services providers can transport patients advanced unanimously from a Senate committee Sept. 30.

The Senate Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee approved Senate Bill 1403, sponsored by Sen. Frank Farry, a Republican from Bucks County.

The bill would allow EMS agencies to transport patients in need of medical assessment and treatment to a broader range of authorized receiving facilities. In addition to hospitals, those facilities could include nonhospital drug and alcohol detoxification or rehabilitation centers and other facilities authorized under Pennsylvania's EMS law, according to Farry's office.

Farry said the measure is intended to give EMS providers more flexibility in determining the best destination for patients, including those experiencing mental health emergencies.

According to the release, the bill also would require insurers, Medical Assistance managed care plans and Children's Health Insurance Program managed care plans to pay the applicable emergency services amount when an EMS agency provides emergency treatment and, when necessary, transports a patient to an authorized receiving facility.

The legislation is designed to ensure EMS agencies are reimbursed for emergency care and transportation services provided to patients, the release said.

Senate Bill 1403 now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

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