SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5764
As of February 26, 2025
Title: An act relating to repealing the expiration date for the ambulance transport fund.
Brief Description: Repealing the expiration date for the ambulance transport fund.
Sponsors: Senators Gildon, Dozier and Robinson.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 2/26/25.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Repeals the expiration date for the Ambulance Transport Quality Assurance Fee Program.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS
Staff: Sandy Stith (786-7710)
Background:

In 2020, the Legislature created the Ambulance Transport Quality Assurance Fee Program (program), which applies to private ambulance transport providers (providers). The program requires providers to pay the fee for each emergency ambulance transport and each provider is required to submit certain data to the Health Care Authority (HCA).

 

The quality assurance fee rate is calculated based on transport and gross receipts data that HCA receives from providers. HCA applies an add-on to increase the Medicaid reimbursement for provider's emergency ambulance transports. The add-on must only be funded from the fees and interest earned on the fees, and federal reimbursement or other related federal funds.

 

For state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022, the annual quality assurance fee rate is calculated by the product of the projected aggregate fee schedule amount divided by 90 percent of the projected total annual ambulance transports by all providers.

 

The program's fund is known as the Ambulance Transport Fund and is in the custody of the state Treasury. The fund must retain its interest and must only be used to receive and disburse funds in accordance with the program. 
Summary of Bill:

The program expiration date is repealed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 17, 2025.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO: There has not been more significant legislation for ambulance rates since 2004. Providers get a $230 fee added to their rates from this program. This has resulted in an increase to wages of about 30. About 76 percent of the overall increase has gone into wages.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Mike Battis, WA Ambulance Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.