Bill
HB 2457
HB 2457 raises Illinois Medicaid air-ambulance base and mileage reimbursements to at least 75% of Medicare rates, locality-based and pending CMS approval, to sustain access.
Status snapshot
- Bill title: MEDICAID — AIR AMBULANCES RATES (HB 2457)
- Primary sponsor (IL): Rep. Jay Hoffman; cosponsors listed.
- Introduced: February 4–5, 2025.
- Current status (per document): Re-referred to Rules Committee (Rule 19(a)); legislative actions in the record show passage activity and a Governor’s signature on 2025-05-24 with an effective date of 2025-09-01. (See “Timeline & status” below.)
Purpose / intent
- To increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for air ambulance medical transportation so that base charges and mileage charges are paid at a level no lower than 75% of the Medicare ambulance fee schedule, by designated Medicare locality — subject to federal approval.
Key provisions
- Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code (305 ILCS 5/5-4.2) concerning ambulance services payments.
- Directs the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), subject to federal approval, to raise the Medicaid base reimbursement rate for air ambulance services (both base charge and mileage) to at least 75% of the Medicare ambulance fee schedule rates. The increases are to be set by Medicare locality.
- Reiterates or retains existing definitions and payment provisions for ambulance, ground ambulance, medi-car, service car, and air ambulance services (including cross-reference to CMS and federal definitions).
- Leaves implementation details (timing, precise locality-level schedules, and administrative rules) to HFS and subject to any required federal (CMS) approvals for state-plan or waiver changes.
Who would be affected
- Primary: Air ambulance providers (helicopter/airplane operators) that transport Medicaid recipients — they would receive higher Medicaid payments for base and mileage charges.
- Secondary: Illinois Medicaid program/Department of Healthcare and Family Services — increased expenditures and administrative responsibility to set locality-level rates and secure federal approval.
- Medicaid enrollees: Indirectly affected through provider availability and access to air transport services; the change aims to support provider participation and access.
- State budget and taxpayers: Potentially higher Medicaid spending; the exact fiscal impact is not specified in the bill text.
Procedural and timeline notes
- The change is explicitly subject to federal approval (CMS) before HFS can implement higher reimbursement rates.
- The legislative record in the provided document shows movement through committees and recorded actions and lists a Governor’s signature (2025-05-24) with an effective date of 2025-09-01. If enacted with that timeline, HFS would need to complete any required federal state-plan amendment or waiver before payments change.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Provider participation: Higher reimbursement (up to or above 75% of Medicare) is likely intended to improve air ambulance provider willingness to accept Medicaid patients and to sustain access in areas served by air transport.
- Fiscal effect: Increased Medicaid payments will raise program costs; the bill does not specify appropriation amounts or offsets.
- Administrative & federal requirements: HFS must implement locality-specific rates and secure CMS approval for any state-plan changes; timing of rate changes depends on federal review/approval.
Note on the document: The file supplied includes fragmented text from other jurisdictions (e.g., provisions about fire districts). This summary focuses on the Illinois Public Aid Code amendment regarding air ambulance Medicaid reimbursement described as HB 2457.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
