WA HB1864

Ambulance services may transport patients to facilities other than emergency departments, including urgent care clinics, mental health facilities, and substance use disorder programs, as authorized in regional emergency medical services plans.

State employee health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, must cover ground ambulance transport to non-emergency department facilities such as urgent care clinics.

Private health carriers must provide coverage for ground ambulance transport to alternative facilities for plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, with applicable in-network cost-sharing.

The Health Care Authority must develop a Medicaid reimbursement methodology for ambulance transport to alternative facilities including urgent care clinics, mental health facilities, and substance use disorder programs.

Liability protections for emergency medical personnel are extended to cover good faith transport of patients to alternative facilities in accordance with regional emergency medical services protocols.