Insurance Commissioner Thanks Congressman Shuster for Moving Pro-Consumer Air Ambulance Amendment

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller today thanked Pennsylvania Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA), for supporting a pro-consumer amendment concerning air ambulance services, as part of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) re-authorization bill that recently passed the House Transportation Committee, which Congressman Shuster chairs.

"I commend Chairman Shuster for supporting and helping to pass an amendment sponsored by Congressman Rob Woodall (R-Georgia) that would establish an advisory committee to make recommendations for a rulemaking at the federal government level that would provide more consumer protection for people who use air ambulance services," Commissioner Miller said. "This proposal would bring greater transparency to the bills air ambulance services send, which I believe is a good first step in helping protect consumers from sometimes huge balance bills they receive when they use air ambulance services."

The amendment would create anadvisory committee to make recommendations for a rulemaking to require air ambulance operators to clearly disclose charges for air transportation services separately from charges for non-air transportation medical services provided while onboard an aircraft, and to provide other consumer protections for customers of air ambulance operators. The committee would include the federal Secretary of Transportation as well as representatives of other relevant federal agencies, and a representative of the air ambulance industry.

"Significantly, this committee would also include a state insurance regulator, a representative of a health insurer, and a representative of a consumer group, making certain the voices of consumers and insurers who pay these bills, and state regulators who deal with health insurance billing issues daily, are heard when the federal rulemaking on protecting consumers is written," Commissioner Miller said.

Commissioner Miller noted she has heard from consumers and state legislators about the problem of air ambulances not affiliated with a hospital and not in an insurer's network. 

"Air ambulances, by their very nature, are transporting a patient in an emergency situation. The consumer has no choice over whether they are transported by air ambulance, or what air ambulance service is used to get them or their loved one to a facility that can provide the care needed as quickly as possible. Consumers are often faced with a balance bill from the air ambulance service, with these bills typically running into the tens of thousands of dollars. These bills can be financially devastating for consumers and their families, who are already often dealing with catastrophic events and significant health care needs," Commissioner Miller said. 

Examples of huge balance bills consumers reported to the Insurance Department after using air ambulance services include a patient involved in a car crash that rendered this person unconscious. The individual, while unconscious, was flown by air ambulance to a trauma center. His insurer is refusing to pay, claiming the situation was "not life threatening", and leaving this person, who obviously had no say in this transport, with a $40,000 bill. 

In another situation, parents reported that their son suddenly became ill, and was diagnosed with a large brain tumor. He was life-flighted to another hospital and underwent surgery. The parents were told had they arrived a few hours later their son would have died. The couple's insurer paid $10,675 of a $47,759 bill, stating the air ambulance service is out-of-network, leaving the parents with a $37,083 balance bill. 

While she views the advisory committee amendment included in the House FAA Re-authorization bill as a positive step, Commissioner Miller urged Congressman Shuster to also support S. 471, a bill in the U.S. Senate that would permit states to regulate air ambulance services. This regulation is now pre-empted by the federal Airline Deregulation Act of 1978. Commissioner Miller has written to Pennsylvania U.S. Senators Casey and Toomey in support of this legislation, which is also supported by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. State House Insurance Committee Chairwoman Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna counties) joined Commissioner Miller at a news conference in April to support the U.S. Senate bill to give states the authority to regulate air ambulance services.

"We must find a way to protect consumers from experiencing these crippling bills at such vulnerable times in their lives. And, as we work to contain the cost of health care, air ambulances must not be overlooked. These vital services save lives but must be affordable to the consumers who need them. S. 471 would allow states to decide how best to regulate the price and services of air ambulances, and protect consumers from financial devastation," Commissioner Miller said.

MEDIA CONTACT: Ron Ruman- 717-787-3289

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Insurance