Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia HB961: Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act; insurance coverage for certain out-of-network ambulance transportation service; provide
Status: Passed one chamber, March 6, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 20E of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the "Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act," so as to provide for insurance coverage for certain out-of-network ambulance transportation service; to provide for the minimum allowable reimbursement rate for such service; to provide for maximum amounts on copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles for such service; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Chapter 20E of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the "Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act," so as to provide for insurance coverage for certain out-of-network ambulance transportation service; to provide for the minimum allowable reimbursement rate for such service; to provide for maximum amounts on copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles for such service; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Chapter 20E of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the "Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act," so as to provide for insurance coverage for certain out-of-network ambulance transportation service; to provide for the minimum allowable reimbursement rate for such service; to provide for maximum amounts on copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles for such service; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Chapter 20E of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the "Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act," is amended by revising Code Section 33-20E-23, relating to financial responsibilities for ground ambulance transportation, as follows: "33-20E-23. Nothing in this chapter shall reduce a covered person's financial responsibilities with regard to ground ambulance transportation. (a) As used in this Code section, the term: H. B. LC 28 0699 (1) 'Ambulance provider' means an agency, including an agency of any political subdivision of this state, or a company which is operating under a valid license from the Emergency Health Section of the Department of Public Health and which provides emergency transport service; provided, however, that such term shall not include an air ambulance service as such term is defined in Code Section …