FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 16, 2015 Time Requested: 10:34 AM |
Agency: |
Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) |
CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
1693 |
Introduced |
SB97 |
|
CBD Subject: |
Insurance |
---|
|
FUND(S):
Sources of Revenue:
Special Fund
Legislation creates:
Neither Program nor Fund
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The purpose of this bill is to SET the maximum amount for air-ambulance services which may be collected pursuant to the plans of the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency.
Passage of this bill would extend allowable benefit coverage to any air-ambulance provider for which the reimbursement amount in total can’t exceed the amount then in effect for the Federal Medicare program.
It should be noted that this is a consumer protection bill to stop vendors from excessive balance billing to the citizens of West Virginia. Currently, air ambulance carriers are not restricted from ‘balance billing’ PEIA members. The amount of these balance billings average $23,000 per case, and can range from $15,000 to as high as $45,000.
There are no anticipated cost increases to PEIA upon passage of this bill as PEIA pays are current Medicare rates. However, it will substantially reduce the potential for law suit against the State by membership exposed to balance billing and aggressive collection efforts by air ambulance carriers.
Fiscal Note Detail
Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2015 Increase/Decrease (use"-") |
2016 Increase/Decrease (use"-") |
Fiscal Year (Upon Full Implementation) |
1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Personal Services |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Current Expenses |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
Memorandum
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Chip Myers
Email Address: clifford.m.myers@wv.gov