The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri sets minimum reimbursement rates for out-of-network ambulance providers and prohibits balance billing
Last action · February 5, 2026: Second Read and Referred S Insurance and Banking CommitteeSponsor: Mike Henderson
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What This Bill Would Do
Senate Bill 1504 requires s to pay out-of-network ambulance providers a minimum reimbursement rate based on local government rates or 325% of the Medicare rate, prohibits patients beyond standard in-network cost-sharing, and mandates direct payments to providers within thirty days.
Enrollees receiving emergency ambulance transport from out-of-network providers are protected from unexpected balance bills, while insurance carriers face strict timelines to remit payments directly to providers.
- Senate Bill 1504 was introduced during the 2026 Second Regular Session of the 103rd Missouri General Assembly by Senator Mike Henderson. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Ambulance providers
Receive mandated minimum reimbursement rates, direct payments within thirty days, and are prohibited from balance billing enrollees.
Health carriers
Must comply with minimum reimbursement formulas, remit direct payments within thirty days, and process claim notifications within statutory timelines.
Enrollees
Protected from balance billing and cost-sharing amounts exceeding in-network thresholds for emergency ambulance services.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an out-of-network ambulance provider send me a balance bill for services?
How fast must health insurance companies pay ambulance providers?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Check Your Understanding
1.According to the introduced version of the bill, what requirement does a health carrier face upon receiving a clean claim for covered ambulance services?
2.According to the introduced version of the bill, what restriction is placed on an ambulance provider regarding an enrollee after payment is made in compliance with the section?
3.According to the introduced version of the bill, what minimum allowable reimbursement rate must a health carrier pay an out-of-network ambulance provider for emergency services in the absence of local rates?
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
3 actions- Feb 5, 2026SenateFloorSecond Read and Referred S Insurance and Banking Committee
- Jan 7, 2026SenateIntroducedS First Read
- Jan 6, 2026SenatePrefiled
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. The text on record is the 6485S.01I - Introduced version. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Identical Companion Legislation
The official summary notes that this act is identical to HB 2597 from the 2026 legislative session.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.senate.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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