ILLINOIS — A landmark ambulance coverage bill has cleared both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly and now awaits Governor J.B. Pritzker’s signature. The legislation aims to protect Illinois residents from surprise medical bills related to ground ambulance services, shifting the burden away from patients and toward fair insurer payments.
Key Protections for Patients and First Responders
The bill, officially known as House Bill 2785, was unanimously approved by both the Illinois House and Senate. It was introduced by Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and Rep. Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines) and has been widely supported by patient advocates and emergency service providers.
If signed into law, the bill would:
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Mandate insurance coverage for emergency and urgent ground ambulance rides.
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Cap patient out-of-pocket costs to the lower of an emergency room copay or 10% of the recognized amount for services.
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Prohibit balance billing when ambulance providers accept defined, fair payments.
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Require insurers to pay the lower of three values: a negotiated rate, 85% of billed charges, or the one-year average gross charge.
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Support 911 response units by requiring insurers to provide fair reimbursement, helping municipalities and fire departments maintain service without over-relying on taxpayer subsidies.
“This is a consumer protection bill… We’ve worked for nearly three years to ensure patients aren’t caught in the middle during emergencies,” said Kim Godden, President of the Illinois State Ambulance Association.
Read more about the legislation on the Illinois State Ambulance Association website.
Effective Date Set for January 2027
If signed into law, these protections would take effect on January 1, 2027, giving healthcare providers, insurers, and local governments ample time to prepare.
“This is particularly important for rural Illinois, where ambulance care may be the first or only available emergency service,” said Andrew Thornton, the Association’s Treasurer.
Closes a Major Gap Left by Federal Law
While the federal No Surprises Act (enacted in 2020) banned surprise billing for hospital and emergency room services, ground ambulance rides were excluded due to their decentralized, local nature. HB2785 fills that critical gap for Illinois.
“When you call 911, your priority should be help — not cost,” said Sen. Villivalam. “This legislation ensures patients won’t face financial ruin for doing the right thing in an emergency.”
Political Support and Community Impact
Rep. Moylan emphasized that the bill provides fair reimbursement to emergency responders across Illinois — a critical move to ensure timely and reliable EMS access statewide.
“This law will help cities and fire protection districts without placing that burden on the patient or local taxpayers,” he said.
What’s Next?
The bill is now on Governor Pritzker’s desk, awaiting his signature. If signed, it will provide long-term security and affordability for Illinois residents needing emergency transport.
Have you or a loved one ever been hit with a surprise ambulance bill in Illinois? Share your experience with us at Chicago Suburban Family.
