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West VirginiaSB 6452026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Prohibiting surprise billing of ground emergency medical services by nonparticipating providers

Sponsored By: Vince Deeds (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§33-15-24§33-16-20§33-24-46§33-25-23§33-25A-37

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

No surprise bills for ground ambulances

Beginning Jan 1, 2027, for plans issued on or after that date, you are protected from surprise bills for covered ground ambulance rides. A non‑participating ambulance cannot bill you beyond your normal in‑network copay, coinsurance, or deductible. Your cost‑sharing cannot be higher than if an in‑network ambulance took you. The insurer must pay the ambulance the lesser of its bill or 200% of Medicare’s published rate for that service in your area. These rules do not cover air ambulances.

Faster insurer payment on ambulance claims

Beginning Jan 1, 2027, for plans issued on or after that date, insurers must pay a clean ground‑ambulance claim within 30 days. Payment goes straight to the ambulance agency, not to you. Insurers must pay or deny a clean claim in 30 days, except when another payer is responsible, benefits are being coordinated, it was already paid, or there is fraud or material misrepresentation. If a claim is denied, the insurer must send a written notice with the date it got the claim and the reason for denial or the exact added information needed. Air ambulances are not covered by these rules.

Medicaid and CHIP plans excluded

Beginning Jan 1, 2027, these ground‑ambulance surprise‑billing protections do not apply to insurers that contract with West Virginia’s Bureau for Medical Services for Medicaid or CHIP. Medicaid and CHIP follow their own ambulance payment and billing rules.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Vince Deeds

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 298 • No: 147

Senate vote • 3/13/2026

Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 601)

Yes: 29 • No: 4

House vote • 3/12/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 435)

Yes: 94 • No: 1

House vote • 3/12/2026

Motion to reconsider amendment (Roll No. 434)

Yes: 49 • No: 46

House vote • 3/12/2026

Motion for previous question adopted (Roll No. 433)

Yes: 56 • No: 39

House vote • 3/12/2026

Motion to table motion to reconsider amendment rejected (Roll No. 432)

Yes: 38 • No: 57

Senate vote • 2/11/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 67)

Yes: 32 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

    4/1/2026Senate

  2. To Governor 3/18/2026

    3/18/2026Senate

  3. To Governor 3/18/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  4. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  5. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  6. House Message received

    3/13/2026Senate

  7. Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 601)

    3/13/2026Senate

  8. Communicated to House

    3/13/2026Senate

  9. Completed legislative action

    3/13/2026Senate

  10. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    3/12/2026House

  11. Reported by the Clerk

    3/12/2026House

  12. Motion to reconsider

    3/12/2026House

  13. Motion to table motion to reconsider amendment rejected (Roll No. 432)

    3/12/2026House

  14. Motion for previous question adopted (Roll No. 433)

    3/12/2026House

  15. Motion to reconsider amendment (Roll No. 434)

    3/12/2026House

  16. Amendment reported by the Clerk

    3/12/2026House

  17. Amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/12/2026House

  18. Amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/12/2026House

  19. Amended on 3rd reading

    3/12/2026House

  20. Amendment reported by the Clerk

    3/12/2026House

  21. Amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/12/2026House

  22. Amendment reported by the Clerk

    3/12/2026House

  23. Amendment rejected (Voice vote)

    3/12/2026House

  24. Read 3rd time

    3/12/2026House

  25. Passed House (Roll No. 435)

    3/12/2026House

Bill Text

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