§ 1797.233. — 1797.233. (Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 520, Sec. 9.)

California § 1797.233.

• Jurisdiction: California
• Code HSC: Health and Safety Code - HSC
• Div. 2.5.: DIVISION 2.5. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
• Ch. 4.: CHAPTER 4. Local Administration
• Art. 1.: ARTICLE 1. Local EMS Agency

Text

(a)
A ground ambulance provider shall not require an uninsured patient or self-pay patient to pay an amount more than the established payment by Medi-Cal or Medicare fee-for-service amount, whichever is greater.
(b)
(1)
A ground ambulance provider shall only advance to collections the Medicare or Medi-Cal payment amount, as determined pursuant to subdivision (a), that the uninsured or self-pay patient failed to pay.
(2)
The ground ambulance provider, or an entity acting on its behalf, including a debt buyer or assignee of the debt, shall not do either of the following:
(A)
Report adverse information to a consumer credit reporting agency.
(B)
Commence civil action against the individual for a minimum of 12 months after the initial billing regarding amounts owed by the individual pursuant to subdivision (a).
(3)
With respect to an uninsured patient or self-pay patient, the ground ambulance provider, or an entity acting on its behalf, including an assignee of the debt, shall not use wage garnishments or liens on primary residences as a means of collecting unpaid bills pursuant to this section.
(c)
Ground ambulance service providers remain subject to balance billing protections for Medi-Cal beneficiaries under Section 14019.4
of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

Legislative History

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 520, Sec. 9. (SB 1061) Effective January 1, 2025.