Insurers Fight State Laws Restricting Surprise Ambulance Bills
COLORADO, JUL 9 – Colorado lawmakers passed a bill to protect consumers from surprise ground ambulance bills despite insurer warnings of a 0.4% premium increase, filling gaps left by federal law.
- On last Tuesday, Colorado Governor Jared Polis vetoed a bipartisan bill that had unanimous legislative approval, citing concerns that it would increase premiums by up to $2.15 per member monthly.
- Following the No Surprises Act’s omission of ground ambulance coverage, Colorado lawmakers enacted targeted measures to protect patients from balance billing gaps.
- Analysis reveals the average surprise ground ambulance bill in California is $1,209, with nearly 75% of emergency rides billed out-of-network, highlighting widespread billing issues.
- Colorado patients remain vulnerable to large out-of-network bills and debt collection after Gov. Polis's veto stalls protections, leaving them exposed to financial risks.
- Meanwhile, the No Surprises Act advisory committee plans to report nonbinding proposals to Congress early next year, including caps on patient liability at $100.
17 Articles
17 Articles

Insurers fight Montana's attempt to restrict surprise ambulance bills
In Montana, legislators were considering a minimum reimbursement for ground ambulances of 400% of what Medicare pays, or at a set local rate if one exists. The proposal was sponsored
Insurers Fight State Laws Restricting Surprise Ambulance Bills
Nicole Silva’s 4-year-old daughter was headed to a relative’s house near the southern Colorado town of La Jara when a vehicle T-boned the car she was riding in. A cascade of ambulance rides ensued — a ground ambulance to a local hospital, an air ambulance to Denver, and another ground ambulance to Children’s Hospital Colorado. Silva’s daughter was on Medicaid, which was supposed to cover the cost of the ambulances. But one of the three ambulance…
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