Measure Would Increase the Minimum Reimbursement Rate for Transportation

Legislation sponsored by Senator Jean Stanfield that would help ensure the availability of ambulance transportation in an emergency was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Jean Stanfield that would help ensure the availability of ambulance transportation in an emergency was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. (Pixabay)

The bipartisan bill, S-2946, also sponsored by Senator Troy Singleton (D-7), would increase the minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for basic life support emergency ambulance transportation services to $200, an  increase of $142.

“If we don’t do more to support emergency service providers, help may not be available when a loved one suffers a heart attack or has a medical crisis,” said Stanfield (R-8). “Currently, the rate in New Jersey is only $58 – that’s the lowest in the nation. This is a sensible investment in life-saving emergency services that state residents depend on.”

The reimbursement rates in surrounding states range from $293.90 in Connecticut to $65.27 in Delaware. In Pennsylvania, legislation is pending that would boost the per-transport rate to $325.

“The health care system relies on the dependable availability of ambulance crews when lives are on the line and residents call 911 in an emergency,” Stanfield said. “The rate adjustment is long overdue.”