Farry Bill to Expand EMS Transport Options Advances from Senate Committee

HARRISBURG - A bill sponsored by Sen. Frank Farry (R-6) to give emergency medical services (EMS) providers greater flexibility in transporting patients to appropriate receiving facilities advanced unanimously from the Senate Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee today.

"EMS providers are often the first ones on the scene when someone is experiencing a medical emergency, and they need to have the ability to get that patient to the appropriate facility for care," said Farry, chair of the Senate Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee. "This legislation removes unnecessary barriers and gives our EMS professionals more options to continue providing patients the care they need, including taking a patient having a mental health issue to a crisis center."

Senate Bill 1403 would expand the types of facilities to which EMS agencies can transport patients who require medical assessment and treatment following an emergency. The legislation also would ensure EMS agencies are appropriately reimbursed when they provide emergency treatment and, when necessary, transport a patient to an authorized receiving facility. Receiving facilities could include hospitals, nonhospital drug and alcohol detoxification or rehabilitation facilities, and other facilities authorized under Pennsylvania's EMS law.

The bill also establishes that insurers, Medical Assistance managed care plans and Children's Health Insurance Program managed care plans must pay the applicable emergency services payment amount when an EMS agency provides treatment and, when necessary, transports a patient to an authorized receiving facility.

"Our EMS system is constantly being asked to do more, and we need to make sure our laws and regulations keep pace with the realities our providers face every day," Farry said. "This is about giving EMS more flexibility while making sure providers are fairly compensated for the emergency services they deliver."

Senate Bill 1403 now advances to the full Senate for consideration.