(1) On or before October 1, 2023, the commissioner, in collaboration with the health care authority and the department of health, must submit a report and any recommendations to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature as to how balance billing for ground ambulance services can be prevented and whether ground ambulance services should be subject to the balance billing restrictions of this chapter. In developing the report and any recommendations, the commissioner must:

(a) Consider any recommendations made to congress by the advisory committee established in section 117 of P.L. 116-260 to review options to improve the disclosure of charges and fees for ground ambulance services, better inform consumers of insurance options for such services, and protect consumers from balance billing; and

(b) Consult with the department of health, the health care authority, the state auditor, consumers, hospitals, carriers, private ground ambulance service providers, fire service agencies, and local governmental entities that operate ground ambulance services, and include their perspectives in the final report.

(2) For purposes of this section, “ground ambulance services” means organizations licensed by the department of health that operate one or more ground vehicles designed and used to transport the ill and injured and to provide personnel, facilities, and equipment to treat patients before and during transportation.

Effective date—2022 c 263: See note following RCW 43.371.100.