(INDIANAPOLIS) - A bill has been written that would protect Indiana patients and emergency medical providers by streamlining the claims process.
State Representative Tony Isa authored the legislation, that would also prevent delays in care or payment stemming from prior authorization demands.
House Bill 1370 would prohibit insurance companies from requiring prior authorization for ambulance services provided to covered patients, including by nonparticipating providers, within 12 hours of the request.
Isa, a Republican from Angola, says Hoosiers deserve certainty that when they call for help, their care will be covered and not tangled in red tape. He says medical emergencies do not wait for insurance approval, and this legislation ensures emergency responders are reimbursed fairly and promptly while patients are not left navigating financial hardship.
The proposed legislation also blocks prior authorization for urgent or emergency services delivered in good faith within 24 hours.
Isa says that the goal of this legislation is aimed at strengthening payment protections for ambulance and other emergency services by limiting prior
authorization requirements by insurance companies.
House Bill 1370 was referred to the House Insurance Committee. If passed by the committee it will move to the full House of Representatives for consideration.