CA AB716

Requires health care service plans and health insurers to cap cost-sharing for noncontracting ground ambulance providers at the in-network cost-sharing amount for policies issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024.

Prohibits noncontracting ground ambulance providers from sending amounts exceeding the in-network cost-sharing to collections, reporting to credit agencies, or using wage garnishments or liens on primary residences for at least 12 months after initial billing.

Mandates health care plans and insurers directly reimburse noncontracting ground ambulance providers the difference between in-network cost-sharing and either the local government-established rate or a regulatory standard rate.

Limits what uninsured and self-pay patients can be charged by ground ambulance providers to no more than the established Medi-Cal or Medicare fee-for-service amount, whichever is greater, with the same collection restrictions.

Requires the Emergency Medical Services Authority to annually report allowable maximum ground ambulance rates by county, including rate trends, by March 1, 2024, and each January 1 thereafter.