HB 1255 Summary

• Department shall create and maintain primary and secondary call lists of air ambulance service providers, with primary list qualification requiring participating provider status with health insurers holding at least 75% of state market share.

• Department shall establish air ambulance response zones based on response times and patient safety, and emergency medical services must first contact primary call list providers, then secondary list providers if primary unavailable.

• Air ambulance providers must disclose fee schedules including base rate and per-loaded-mile rate to department, which shall distribute information to hospitals, physicians, and emergency services personnel; hospitals must inform patients of fees before referral unless health/safety concerns exist.

• State health council shall adopt rules for air ambulance service providers addressing transport plans, auto-launch protocols, transporting to nearest appropriate facility, medical necessity, and informed consent.

• Ambulance service classifications for medical assistance, health insurance, and workers' compensation benefits are standardized under section 50-24.1-16, with definitions for emergency response and advanced life support assessment.