GA SB462

Amends Georgia's Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act to require healthcare plans to cover emergency transport services when requested by a first responder or healthcare practitioner responsible for the patient's care.

Sets minimum reimbursement rates for out-of-network ambulance providers at either the rate established by local government contract/ordinance, or if none exists, the lesser of 325% of Medicare reimbursement rates or the provider's billed charges.

Caps patient cost-sharing (copayments, coinsurance, deductibles) for out-of-network ambulance services at the same amount as in-network ambulance services, protecting patients from surprise balance billing.

Requires insurers to pay ambulance providers directly within 30 days of receiving a clean claim, and prohibits payment to the covered person instead of the provider.

Excludes air ambulance services from these provisions; applies only to ground ambulance transportation by licensed emergency transport providers.