DOT appoints advisory committee on air ambulance billing

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao last week named a committee to advise Congress and the departments of Health and Human Services and Transportation on issues relating to air ambulance services and patient billing. Required by the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018, the committee will make recommendations to improve disclosure of charges and fees for air ambulance services and insurance coverage, better inform consumers of insurance options for such services, and protect consumers from balance billing. The appointees include representatives for state insurance regulators; health insurance providers; air ambulance providers; physicians; nurses; and patient and consumer advocacy groups. Leaders of the House Ways and Means Committee last month urged Chao to promptly appoint and convene the advisory committee.