FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: February 02, 2016
Time Requested: 01:23 PM
Agency: Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA)
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
1992 Introduced SB456
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 provide 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. There are only certain groups of air-ambulance providers which balance bill. Some providers accept PEIA rates and do not balance bill. The amount of these balance billings average $23,000 per case, and can range from $15,000 to as high as $45,000. The Bill would level the playing field for providers that accept PEIA rates and do not balance bill. There are no anticipated cost increases to PEIA upon passage of this bill as PEIA payments 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
2016
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2017
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: Keith Huffman
    Email Address: keith.huffman@wv.gov