NON-NETWORK EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDER.

(a) In this section, "emergency medical services provider" has the meaning assigned by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code, except that the term does not include an air ambulance.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a health maintenance organization shall pay for a covered health care service performed for, or a covered supply or covered transport related to that service provided to, an enrollee by a non-network emergency medical services provider at:

(1) if the political subdivision has submitted the rate to the department under Section 38.006, the rate set, controlled, or regulated by the political subdivision in which:

(A) the service originated; or

(B) the transport originated if transport is provided; or

(2) if the political subdivision has not submitted the rate to the department, the lesser of:

(A) the provider's billed charge; or

(B) 325 percent of the current Medicare rate, including any applicable extenders and modifiers.

(c) A political subdivision may annually adjust a rate submitted under Section 38.006 by not more than the lesser of:

(1) the Medicare Ambulance Inflation Factor; or

(2) 10 percent of the provider's previous calendar year rates.

(d) The health maintenance organization shall make a payment required by this section directly to the provider not later than, as applicable:

(1) the 30th day after the date the health maintenance organization receives an electronic clean claim as defined by Section 843.336 for those services that includes all information necessary for the health maintenance organization to pay the claim; or

(2) the 45th day after the date the health maintenance organization receives a nonelectronic clean claim as defined by Section 843.336 for those services that includes all information necessary for the health maintenance organization to pay the claim.

(e) A non-network emergency medical services provider or a person asserting a claim as an agent or assignee of the provider may not bill an enrollee receiving a health care service or supply or transport described by Subsection (b) in, and the enrollee does not have financial responsibility for, an amount greater than an applicable copayment, coinsurance, and deductible under the enrollee's health care plan that is based on:

(1) the amount initially determined payable by the health maintenance organization; or

(2) if applicable, a modified amount as determined under the health maintenance organization's internal appeal process.

(f) This section may not be construed to require the imposition of a penalty under Section 843.342.

(g) This section expires September 1, 2027.