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Bill

SB 593

Health insurance; balance billing protection, emergency medical services vehicle transportation.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lashrecse Aird and 3 co-sponsors

SB 593 prohibits surprise medical bills for emergency services and EMS transportation, protecting Virginia patients from unexpected out-of-network charges.

Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce
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Bill Summary · SB 593

Legislative bill overview

SB 593 expands balance billing protections in Virginia's health insurance regulations and extends coverage requirements to emergency medical services vehicle transportation. The bill prevents patients from receiving unexpected bills from out-of-network providers in emergency situations and ensures EMS transport costs are subject to the same consumer protections as other medical services.

Why is this important

Balance billing—when patients are charged the difference between what insurance pays and what providers bill—creates significant financial hardship for families facing medical emergencies. By extending protections to EMS transportation, the bill addresses a gap where patients could face substantial surprise bills for ambulance services, which are often non-negotiable during emergencies.

Potential points of contention

  • EMS provider reimbursement concerns: Rural and independent EMS services may argue that balance billing restrictions limit their ability to recover costs, potentially affecting service availability in less profitable areas
  • Insurance premium impact: Health insurers may contend the expanded protections will increase costs, potentially raising premiums for all policyholders
  • Implementation clarity: The bill's specific mechanics for determining "in-network" rates for EMS providers and dispute resolution procedures may require additional regulatory guidance

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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