HB471 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ed OliverRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Rex ReynoldsTim Wadsworth

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Medicaid, increase reimbursement rates for certain ambulance services

Summary

The bill would require Alabama Medicaid to raise reimbursement rates for certain ambulance services for Medicaid recipients who are not Medicare eligible, setting the rate at 75% of the Medicare rate.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the Medicaid Agency would increase reimbursements for specific ambulance services identified by HCPCS codes, subject to federal approval. The higher rate would apply to ground and air ambulance services, for both emergency and non-emergency transports, provided to Medicaid recipients not eligible for Medicare. The increased payments would go to providers licensed by the Alabama Department of Public Health to offer EMS, and the change would take effect immediately after passage and the governor's approval.

Who It Affects

• Medicaid recipients who are not eligible for Medicare would benefit from higher reimbursement rates for ambulance services they receive.
• Ambulance service providers licensed by the Alabama Department of Public Health would receive higher reimbursements for these services.
• The Alabama Medicaid Agency would implement and oversee the rate increase, subject to federal government approval.

Key Provisions

• Reimbursement rates for specified ambulance services would be increased to 75% of the applicable Medicare rate for each service level.
• Eligible HCPCS codes include A0425 (Ground mileage), A0426 (ALS 1), A0427 (Emergency transport 1), A0428 (BLS non-emergency transport), A0429 (Non-emergency transport), A0431 (Air, conventional, one-way rotary wing), A0433 (ALS 2), A0434 (Specialty care transport), A0436 (Air mileage, rotary wing).
• The increase is subject to approval by the federal government and would apply to providers licensed to provide EMS in Alabama.
• The act would take effect immediately after it is passed and signed by the Governor, or otherwise becomes law.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Medicaid