Insurance companies say a new Texas law targeting ambulance rides does not go far enough to protect everyone.
A law that took effect at the start of the year protects many Texans from surprise bills following a trip in an ambulance. It helps those who have a state-regulated insurance plan like state employees and retired teachers.
Jamie Dudenstein is the CEO of the Texas Association of Health Plans, which represents all insurance companies in Texas. She says lots of patients will get a big surprise bill later.
"Even though your insurance company pays that ambulance provider for that service, if it was out of network, they are then allowed to bill you for any amount. There is no limit" said Dudenstein.
That surprise bill can be thousands of dollars. It's also impossible to determine if an ambulance headed your way in an emergency is in our out-of-network, you get what's sent.
Dudenstein wants congress to take action so all Texans will be completely covered.
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