IL HB2785

Requires health insurance policies amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027 to cover both emergency and urgent ground ambulance services

Protects patients from balance billing by nonparticipating ground ambulance providers, limiting out-of-pocket costs to what they would pay for in-network services, with cost sharing capped at the lesser of the emergency room copayment/coinsurance or 10% of the recognized amount

Establishes payment rates for nonparticipating ground ambulance providers: either the rate approved by local government for providers under local jurisdiction, or for others, the lesser of negotiated rates, 85% of billed charges, or average gross charge rates filed with the Department of Public Health

Requires nonparticipating ground ambulance providers to file annual average gross charge rates with the Department of Public Health beginning October 1, 2026, covering categories including basic life support, advanced life support, specialty care transport, and loaded mileage charges

Preempts home rule units from regulating ground ambulance service payments in a manner inconsistent with the new state requirements