2022 -- S 2476 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED

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LC004627/SUB A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

     Introduced By: Senators Miller, DiMario, Lawson, Valverde, and Cano

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2022

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 27-18 of the General Laws entitled "Accident and Sickness Insurance

Policies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections:

     27-18-89. Emergency medical services transport to alternate facilities.

     (a) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

     (1) "Basic life support" or "BLS" means transportation by ground ambulance vehicle and

medically necessary supplies and services, plus the provision of BLS ambulance services. The

ambulance must be staffed by at least two (2) people who meet the requirements of state laws and

regulations where the services are being furnished. Also, at least one of the staff members must be

licensed, at a minimum, as an emergency medical technician by the state or local authority where

the services are furnished and be legally authorized to operate all lifesaving and life-sustaining

equipment on board the vehicle.

     (2) "Emergency medical services" or "EMS" means the practitioners, ambulance vehicles,

and ambulance service entities licensed in accordance with chapter 4.1 of title 23 to provide

emergency medical care, transportation, and preventive care to mitigate loss of life or exacerbation

of illness or injury, including, but not limited to, EMS responding to the 911 system established

under chapter 21.1 of title 39.

     (3) "Emergency medical services practitioner" means an individual who is licensed in

accordance with state laws and regulations to perform emergency medical care and preventive care

to mitigate loss of life or exacerbation of illness or injury, including emergency medical

technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians-

cardiac, and paramedics.

     (4) “Mobile integrated healthcare/community paramedicine” means the provision of

healthcare using patient-centered, mobile resources in the out-of-hospital environment with EMS

agency’s licensed paramedic and advanced emergency medical technician-cardiac practitioners

working in collaboration with physicians, nurses, mid-level practitioners, community health teams

and social, behavioral and substance use disorder specialists to address the unmet needs of

individuals experiencing intermittent health care issues. The mobile integrated

healthcare/community paramedicine program rules, regulations, standing orders, protocols, and

procedures shall be instituted by the department of health with the collaboration of the ambulance

service coordinating advisory board.

     (b) This section authorizes emergency medical services in the state participating in a mobile

integrated healthcare/community paramedicine program to divert non-emergency basic life service

calls from emergency departments. Emergency medical services practitioners shall assess

individuals who are in need of emergency medical services and apply the correct level of care

thereafter, which may include transport to an alternative facility deemed appropriate by the

emergency medical services practitioner. An alternative facility shall include, but not be limited to:

     (1) An individual’s primary care provider;

     (2) A community health clinic;

     (3) An urgent care facility;

     (4) An emergency room diversion facility, as defined in § 23-17.26-2; and

     (5) A community-based behavioral health facility designed to provide immediate

assistance to a person in crisis.

     (c) Emergency medical services shall be permitted to transport to the following facilities

designated by the director of the department of health:

     (1) Emergency room diversion facilities, as defined in § 23-17.26-2; and

     (2) Community-based behavioral health facilities designed to provide immediate assistance

to a person in crisis.

     (d) Commencing January 1, 2023, every individual or group health insurance contract, plan

or policy issued for delivery or renewed in this state that provides medical coverage that includes

coverage for emergency medical services shall provide coverage for transport to an alternative

location facility as identified in subsection (b) of this section and shall reimburse the EMS for such

services at the same rate as for a non-emergency basic life support transport to an emergency

department.

LC004627/SUB A - Page 2 of 14

     (e) If treatment at an alternative facility is deemed appropriate by the EMS practitioner, the

emergency medical service shall bill at the rate described in subsection (d) of this section, even if

an advanced life support assessment was provided.

     (f) The office of the health insurance commissioner and/or the department of health may

promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary and proper to effectuate the purpose and for

the efficient administration and enforcement of this section.

     27-18-90. Coverage of EMS mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

     (a) As used in this section, "emergency medical services" or "EMS" means the

practitioners, ambulance vehicles, and ambulance service entities licensed in accordance with

chapter 4.1 of title 23 to provide emergency medical care, transportation, and preventive care to

mitigate loss of life or exacerbation of illness or injury, including, but not limited to, EMS

responding to the 911 system established under chapter 21.1 of title 39.

     (b) Emergency medical services shall be permitted to allow licensed providers who treat

mental health disorders, including substance use disorders, to accompany EMS. Such providers

shall be permitted to treat EMS patients when medically necessary and appropriate. Such treatment

shall be permitted to occur in the community.

     (c) Commencing January 1, 2023, every individual or group health insurance contract, plan

or policy issued for delivery or renewed in this state that provides medical coverage that includes

coverage for emergency medical services, shall provide coverage for transportation and treatment

described in subsection (b) of this section and shall reimburse such services at a rate not lower than

the same service would have been had that service been delivered in a traditional office setting.

     (d) Treatment and coverage for mental health disorders, including substance use disorders,

as described in this section shall be provided in accordance with chapter 38.2 of title 27.

     (e) The office of the health insurance commissioner and/or the department of health may

promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary and proper to effectuate the purpose and for

the efficient administration and enforcement of this section.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 27-19 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Hospital Service

Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections:

     27-19-81. Emergency medical services transport to alternate facilities.

     (a) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meaning:

     (1) "Basic life support" or "BLS" means transportation by ground ambulance vehicle and

medically necessary supplies and services, plus the provision of BLS ambulance services. The

ambulance must be staffed by at least two (2) people who meet the requirements of state laws and

regulations where the services are being furnished. Also, at least one of the staff members must be

LC004627/SUB A - Page 3 of 14

licensed, at a minimum, as an emergency medical technician by the state or local authority where

the services are furnished and be legally authorized to operate all lifesaving and life-sustaining

equipment on board the vehicle.

     (2) "Emergency medical services" or "EMS" means the practitioners, ambulance vehicles,

and ambulance service entities licensed in accordance with chapter 4.1 of title 23 to provide

emergency medical care, transportation, and preventive care to mitigate loss of life or exacerbation

of illness or injury, including, but not limited to, EMS responding to the 911 system established

under chapter 21.1 of title 39.

     (3) "Emergency medical services practitioner" means an individual who is licensed in

accordance with state laws and regulations to perform emergency medical care and preventive care

to mitigate loss of life or exacerbation of illness or injury, including emergency medical

technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians-

cardiac, and paramedics.

     (4) “Mobile integrated healthcare/community paramedicine” means the provision of

healthcare using patient-centered, mobile resources in the out-of-hospital environment with EMS

agency’s licensed paramedic and advanced emergency medical technician-cardiac practitioners

working in collaboration with physicians, nurses, mid-level practitioners, community health teams

and social, behavioral and substance use disorder specialists to address the unmet needs of

individuals experiencing intermittent health care issues. The mobile integrated

healthcare/community paramedicine program rules, regulations, standing orders, protocols, and

procedures shall be instituted by the department of health with the collaboration of the ambulance

service coordinating advisory board.

     (b) This section authorizes emergency medical services in the state participating in a mobile

integrated healthcare/community paramedicine program to divert non-emergency basic life service

calls from emergency departments. Emergency medical services practitioners shall assess

individuals who are in need of emergency medical services and apply the correct level of care

thereafter, which may include transport to an alternative facility deemed appropriate by the

emergency medical services practitioner. An alternative facility shall include, but not be limited to:

     (1) An individual’s primary care provider;

     (2) A community health clinic;

     (3) An urgent care facility;

     (4) An emergency room diversion facility, as defined in § 23-17.26-2; and

     (5) A community-based behavioral health facility designed to provide immediate

assistance to a person in crisis.

LC004627/SUB A - Page 4 of 14

     (c) Emergency medical services shall be permitted to transport to the following facilities

designated by the director of RIDOH:

     (i) emergency room diversion facilities, as defined in § 23-17.26-2; and

     (ii) community-based behavioral health facilities designed to provide immediate assistance

to a person in crisis.

     (d) Commencing January 1, 2023, every individual or group health insurance contract, plan

or policy issued for delivery or renewed in this state that provides medical coverage that includes

coverage for emergency medical services shall provide coverage for transport to an alternative

location facility as identified in subsection (b) of this section and shall reimburse the EMS for such

services at the same rate as for a non-emergency basic life support transport to an emergency

department.

     (e) If treatment at an alternative facility is deemed appropriate by the EMS practitioner, the

emergency medical service shall bill at the rate described in subsection (d) of this section even if

an advanced life support assessment was provided.

     (f) The office of the health insurance commissioner and/or Rhode Island department of

health may promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary and proper to effectuate the

purpose and for the efficient administration and enforcement of this section.

     27-19-82. Coverage of EMS mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

     (a) As used in this section, "emergency medical services" or "EMS" means the

practitioners, ambulance vehicles, and ambulance service entities licensed in accordance with

chapter 4.1 of title 23 to provide emergency medical care, transportation, and preventive care to

mitigate loss of life or exacerbation of illness or injury, including, but not limited to, EMS

responding to the 911 system established under chapter 21.1 of title 39.

     (b) Emergency medical services shall be permitted to allow licensed providers who treat

mental health disorders, including substance use disorders, to accompany EMS. Such providers

shall be permitted to treat EMS patients when medically necessary and appropriate. Such treatment

shall be permitted to occur in the community.

     (c) Commencing January 1, 2023, every individual or group health insurance contract, plan

or policy issued for delivery or renewed in this state that provides medical coverage that includes

coverage for emergency medical services, shall provide coverage for transportation and treatment

described in subsection (b) of this section and shall reimburse such services at a rate not lower than

the same service would have been had that service been delivered in a traditional office setting.

     (d) Treatment and coverage for mental health disorders, including substance use disorders,

as described in this section shall be provided in accordance with chapter 38.2 of title 27.

LC004627/SUB A - Page 5 of 14

     (e) The office of the health insurance commissioner and/or Rhode Island department of

health may promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary and proper to effectuate the

purpose and for the efficient administration and enforcement of this section.

     SECTION 3. Chapter 27-20 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Medical Service

Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections:

     27-20-77. Emergency medical services transport to alternate facilities.

     (a) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meaning:

     (1) "Basic life support" or "BLS" means transportation by ground ambulance vehicle and

medically necessary supplies and services, plus the provision of BLS ambulance services. The

ambulance must be staffed by at least two (2) people who meet the requirements of state laws and

regulations where the services are being furnished. Also, at least one of the staff members must be

licensed, at a minimum, as an emergency medical technician by the state or local authority where

the services are furnished and be legally authorized to operate all lifesaving and life-sustaining

equipment on board the vehicle.

     (2) "Emergency medical services" or "EMS" means the practitioners, ambulance vehicles,

and ambulance service entities licensed in accordance with chapter 4.1 of title 23 to provide

emergency medical care, transportation, and preventive care to mitigate loss of life or exacerbation

of illness or injury including, but not limited to, EMS responding to the 911 system established

under chapter 21.1 of title 39.

     (3) "Emergency medical services practitioner" means an individual who is licensed in

accordance with state laws and regulations to perform emergency medical care and preventive care

to mitigate loss of life or exacerbation of illness or injury, including emergency medical

technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians-

cardiac, and paramedics.

     (4) “Mobile integrated healthcare/community paramedicine” means the provision of

healthcare using patient-centered, mobile resources in the out-of-hospital environment with EMS

agency’s licensed paramedic and advanced emergency medical technician-cardiac practitioners

working in collaboration with physicians, nurses, mid-level practitioners, community health teams

and social, behavioral and substance use disorder specialists to address the unmet needs of

individuals experiencing intermittent health care issues. The mobile integrated

healthcare/community paramedicine program rules, regulations, standing orders, protocols, and

procedures shall be instituted by the department of health with the collaboration of the ambulance

service coordinating advisory board.

     (b) This section authorizes emergency medical services in the state participating in a mobile

LC004627/SUB A - Page 6 of 14

integrated healthcare/community paramedicine program to divert non-emergency basic life service

calls from emergency departments. Emergency medical services practitioners shall assess

individuals who are in need of emergency medical services and apply the correct level of care

thereafter, which may include transport to an alternative facility deemed appropriate by the

emergency medical services practitioner. An alternative facility shall include, but not be limited to:

     (1) An individual’s primary care provider;

     (2) A community health clinic;

     (3) An urgent care facility;

     (4) An emergency room diversion facility, as defined in § 23-17.26-2; and

     (5) A community-based behavioral health facility designed to provide immediate

assistance to a person in crisis.

     (c) Emergency medical services shall be permitted to transport to the following facilities

designated by the director of RIDOH:

     (i) emergency room diversion facilities, as defined in § 23-17.26-2; and

     (ii) community-based behavioral health facilities designed to provide immediate assistance

to a person in crisis.

     (d) Commencing January 1, 2023, every individual or group health insurance contract, plan

or policy issued for delivery or renewed in this state that provides medical coverage that includes

coverage for emergency medical services shall provide coverage for transport to an alternative

location facility as identified in subsection (b) of this section and shall reimburse the EMS for such

services at the same rate as for a non-emergency basic life support transport to an emergency

department.

     (e) If treatment at an alternative facility is deemed appropriate by the EMS practitioner, the

emergency medical service shall bill at the rate described in subsection (c) of this section, even if

an advanced life support assessment was provided.

     (f) The office of the health insurance commissioner and/or Rhode Island department of

health may promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary and proper to effectuate the

purpose and for the efficient administration and enforcement of this section.

     27-20-78. Coverage of EMS mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

     (a) As used in this section, "emergency medical services" or "EMS" means the

practitioners, ambulance vehicles, and ambulance service entities licensed in accordance with

chapter 4.1 of title 23 to provide emergency medical care, transportation, and preventive care to

mitigate loss of life or exacerbation of illness or injury, including, but not limited to, EMS

responding to the 911 system established under chapter 21.1 of title 39.

LC004627/SUB A - Page 7 of 14

     (b) Emergency medical services shall be permitted to allow licensed providers who treat

mental health disorders, including substance use disorders, to accompany EMS. Such providers

shall be permitted to treat EMS patients when medically necessary and appropriate. Such treatment

shall be permitted to occur in the community.

     (c) Commencing January 1, 2023, every individual or group health insurance contract, plan

or policy issued for delivery or renewed in this state that provides medical coverage that includes

coverage for emergency medical services, shall provide coverage for transportation and treatment

described in subsection (b) of this section and shall reimburse such services at a rate not lower than

the same service would have been had that service been delivered in a traditional office setting.

     (d) Treatment and coverage for mental health disorders, including substance use disorders,

as described in this section shall be provided in accordance with chapter 38.2 of title 27.

     (e) The office of the health insurance commissioner and/or Rhode Island department of

health may promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary and proper to effectuate the

purpose and for the efficient administration and enforcement of this section.

     SECTION 4. Chapter 27-41 of the General Laws entitled "Health Maintenance

Organizations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections:

     27-41-94. Emergency medical services transport to alternate facilities.

     (a) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meaning:

     (1) "Basic life support" or "BLS" means transportation by ground ambulance vehicle and

medically necessary supplies and services, plus the provision of BLS ambulance services. The

ambulance must be staffed by at least two (2) people who meet the requirements of state laws and

regulations where the services are being furnished. Also, at least one of the staff members must be

licensed, at a minimum, as an emergency medical technician by the state or local authority where

the services are furnished and be legally authorized to operate all lifesaving and life-sustaining

equipment on board the vehicle.

     (2) "Emergency medical services" or "EMS" means the practitioners, ambulance vehicles,

and ambulance service entities licensed in accordance with chapter 4.1 of title 23 to provide

emergency medical care, transportation, and preventive care to mitigate loss of life or exacerbation

of illness or injury, including, but not limited to, EMS responding to the 911 system established

under chapter 21.1 of title 39.

     (3) "Emergency medical services practitioner" means an individual who is licensed in

accordance with state laws and regulations to perform emergency medical care and preventive care

to mitigate loss of life or exacerbation of illness or injury, including emergency medical

technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians-

LC004627/SUB A - Page 8 of 14

cardiac, and paramedics.

     (4) “Mobile integrated healthcare/community paramedicine” means the provision of

healthcare using patient-centered, mobile resources in the out-of-hospital environment with EMS

agency’s licensed paramedic and advanced emergency medical technician-cardiac practitioners

working in collaboration with physicians, nurses, mid-level practitioners, community health teams

and social, behavioral and substance use disorder specialists to address the unmet needs of

individuals experiencing intermittent health care issues. The mobile integrated

healthcare/community paramedicine program rules, regulations, standing orders, protocols, and

procedures shall be instituted by the department of health with the collaboration of the ambulance

service coordinating advisory board.

     (b) This section authorizes emergency medical services in the state participating in a mobile

integrated healthcare/community paramedicine program to divert non-emergency basic life service

calls from emergency departments. Emergency medical services practitioners shall assess

individuals who are in need of emergency medical services and apply the correct level of care

thereafter, which may include transport to an alternative facility deemed appropriate by the

emergency medical services practitioner. An alternative facility shall include, but not be limited to:

     (1) An individual’s primary care provider;

     (2) A community health clinic;

     (3) An urgent care facility;

     (4) An emergency room diversion facility, as defined in § 23-17.26-2; and

     (5) A community-based behavioral health facility designed to provide immediate

assistance to a person in crisis.

     (c) Emergency medical services shall be permitted to transport to the following facilities

designated by the director of RIDOH:

     (i) Emergency room diversion facilities, as defined in § 23-17.26-2; and

     (ii) Community-based behavioral health facilities designed to provide immediate

assistance to a person in crisis.

     (d) Commencing January 1, 2023, every individual or group health insurance contract, plan

or policy issued for delivery or renewed in this state that provides medical coverage that includes

coverage for emergency medical services shall provide coverage for transport to an alternative

location facility as identified in subsection (b) of this section and shall reimburse the EMS for such

services at the same rate as for a non-emergency basic life support transport to an emergency

department.

     (e) If treatment at an alternative facility is deemed appropriate by the EMS practitioner, the

LC004627/SUB A - Page 9 of 14

emergency medical service shall bill at the rate as described in subsection (d) of this section, even

if an advanced life support assessment was provided.

     (f) The office of the health insurance commissioner and/or Rhode Island department of

health may promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary and proper to effectuate the

purpose and for the efficient administration and enforcement of this section.

     27-41-95. Coverage of EMS mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

     (a) As used in this section, "emergency medical services" or "EMS" means the

practitioners, ambulance vehicles, and ambulance service entities licensed in accordance with

chapter 4.1 of title 23 to provide emergency medical care, transportation, and preventive care to

mitigate loss of life or exacerbation of illness or injury, including, but not limited to, EMS

responding to the 911 system established under chapter 21.1 of title 39.

     (b) Emergency medical services shall be permitted to allow licensed providers who treat

mental health disorders, including substance use disorders, to accompany EMS. Such providers

shall be permitted to treat EMS patients when medically necessary and appropriate. Such treatment

shall be permitted to occur in the community.

     (c) Commencing January 1, 2023, every individual or group health insurance contract, plan

or policy issued for delivery or renewed in this state that provides medical coverage that includes

coverage for emergency medical services, shall provide coverage for transportation and treatment

described in subsection (b) of this section and shall reimburse such services at a rate not lower than

the same service would have been had that service been delivered in a traditional office setting.

     (d) Treatment and coverage for mental health disorders, including substance use disorders,

as described in this section shall be provided in accordance with chapter 38.2 of title 27.

     (e) The office of the health insurance commissioner and/or Rhode Island department of

health may promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary and proper to effectuate the

purpose and for the efficient administration and enforcement of this section.

     SECTION 5. Chapter 42-7.2 of the General Laws entitled "Office of Health and Human

Services" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections:

     42-7.2-21. Emergency medical services transport to alternate facilities.

     (a) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meaning:

     (1) "Basic life support" or "BLS" means transportation by ground ambulance vehicle and

medically necessary supplies and services, plus the provision of BLS ambulance services. The

ambulance must be staffed by at least two (2) people who meet the requirements of state laws and

regulations where the services are being furnished. Also, at least one of the staff members must be

licensed, at a minimum, as an emergency medical technician by the state or local authority where

LC004627/SUB A - Page 10 of 14

the services are furnished and be legally authorized to operate all lifesaving and life-sustaining

equipment on board the vehicle.

     (2) "Emergency medical services" or "EMS" means the practitioners, ambulance vehicles,

and ambulance service entities licensed in accordance with chapter 4.1 of title 23 to provide

emergency medical care, transportation, and preventive care to mitigate loss of life or exacerbation

of illness or injury, including, but not limited to, EMS responding to the 911 system established

under chapter 21.1 of title 39.

     (3) "Emergency medical services practitioner" means an individual who is licensed in

accordance with state laws and regulations to perform emergency medical care and preventive care

to mitigate loss of life or exacerbation of illness or injury, including emergency medical

technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians-

cardiac, and paramedics.

     (4) “Mobile integrated healthcare/community paramedicine” means the provision of

healthcare using patient-centered, mobile resources in the out-of-hospital environment with EMS

agency’s licensed paramedic and advanced emergency medical technician-cardiac practitioners

working in collaboration with physicians, nurses, mid-level practitioners, community health teams

and social, behavioral and substance use disorder specialists to address the unmet needs of

individuals experiencing intermittent health care issues. The mobile integrated

healthcare/community paramedicine program rules, regulations, standing orders, protocols, and

procedures shall be instituted by the department of health with the collaboration of the ambulance

service coordinating advisory board.

     (b) This section authorizes emergency medical services in the state participating in a mobile

integrated healthcare/community paramedicine program to divert non-emergency basic life service

calls from emergency departments. Emergency medical services practitioners shall assess

individuals who are in need of emergency medical services and apply the correct level of care

thereafter, which may include transport to an alternative facility deemed appropriate by the

emergency medical services practitioner. An alternative facility shall include, but not be limited to:

     (1) An individual’s primary care provider;

     (2) A community health clinic;

     (3) An urgent care facility;

     (4) An emergency room diversion facility, as defined in § 23-17.26-2; and

     (5) A community-based behavioral health facility designed to provide immediate

assistance to a person in crisis.

     (c) Emergency medical services shall be permitted to transport to the following facilities

LC004627/SUB A - Page 11 of 14

designated by the director of the department of health:

     (1) Emergency room diversion facilities, as defined in § 23-17.26-2; and

     (2) Community-based behavioral health facilities designed to provide immediate assistance

to a person in crisis.

     (d) Rhode Island Medicaid and its contracted managed care entities shall provide coverage

for transport to an alternative facility as identified in subsection (b) of this section and shall

reimburse the EMS for such services at the same rate as for a non-emergency basic life support

transport to an emergency department.

     (e) If treatment at an alternative facility is deemed appropriate by the EMS practitioner, the

emergency medical service shall bill at the rate described in subsection (d) of this section even if

an advanced life support assessment was provided.

     (f) The executive office of health and human services shall set the reimbursement rates for

the services described in this section. The department of health in collaboration with the ambulance

service coordinating advisory board shall promulgate such rules, regulations, standing orders, and

protocols as are necessary and proper to effectuate the purpose and for the efficient administration

and enforcement of this chapter.

     42-7.2-22. Coverage of EMS mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

     (a) As used in this section, "emergency medical services" or "EMS" means the

practitioners, ambulance vehicles, and ambulance service entities licensed in accordance with

chapter 4.1 of title 23 to provide emergency medical care, transportation, and preventive care to

mitigate loss of life or exacerbation of illness or injury, including, but not limited to, EMS

responding to the 911 system established under chapter 21.1 of title 39.

     (b) Emergency medical services shall be permitted to allow licensed providers who treat

mental health disorders, including substance use disorders, to accompany EMS. Such providers

shall be permitted to treat EMS patients when medically necessary and appropriate. Such treatment

shall be permitted to occur in the community.

     (c) Rhode Island Medicaid and its contracted managed care entities shall provide coverage

for transportation and treatment described in subsection (b) of this section and shall reimburse such

services at a rate not lower than the same service would have been had that service been delivered

in a traditional office setting.

     (d) The executive office of health and human services shall set the reimbursement rates for

the services described in this section. The department of health in collaboration with the ambulance

service coordinating advisory board shall promulgate such rules, regulations, standing orders, and

protocols as are necessary and proper to effectuate the purpose and for the efficient administration

LC004627/SUB A - Page 12 of 14

and enforcement of this chapter.

     SECTION 6. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC004627/SUB A

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LC004627/SUB A - Page 13 of 14

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

***

     This act would require health insurers, nonprofit hospital service corporations, nonprofit

medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations and Rhode Island Medicaid, to

issue or renew policies that provide coverage for emergency medical services transport to alternate

facilities and coverage of emergency medical services, mental health and substance use disorder

treatment, on or after January 1, 2023.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC004627/SUB A

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LC004627/SUB A - Page 14 of 14