Medicaid rate increase-EMS services.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not specify if 'special' fee schedules are required for rural and super-rural areas; it only mentions enhanced fee schedules.

Medicaid Rate Increase for EMS Services

This law increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for emergency medical services provided by ground ambulances to match Medicare rates and requires a report on costs.

What This Bill Does

• Increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for emergency medical services from ground ambulance providers to 100% of current Medicare rates, effective July 1, 2026.
• Requires the Department of Health to develop enhanced fee schedules for rural and super-rural areas where these services are provided.
• Funds $1.3 million from state money and another $1.3 million from federal funds to cover the increased reimbursement rates over two years.
• Requires a report by October 31, 2027, detailing additional costs due to higher reimbursement rates.

Who It Names or Affects

• Ground ambulance service providers who receive Medicaid payments for emergency medical services.
• The Department of Health responsible for setting fee schedules and reporting on the impact of increased reimbursements.

Terms To Know

Medicaid

A government program that helps certain people pay for medical care.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Medical services provided by ambulance crews to treat patients during emergencies.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law only applies to emergency medical services provided by ground ambulances and does not cover other types of Medicaid services.
• It is unclear how the increased costs will affect overall Medicaid spending beyond the two-year period covered in this act.

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 26LSO-0135

Bill No.:

SF0004

Effective:

7/1/2026

LSO No.:

26LSO-0135

Enrolled Act No.:

SEA No. 0034

Chapter No.:

69

Prime Sponsor:

Joint Labor, Health & Social Services Interim Committee

Catch Title:

Medicaid rate increase-EMS services.

Has Report:

Yes

Subject:

Increases the Medicaid reimbursement rate for emergency medical services.

Summary/Major Elements:

This act increases the Medicaid reimbursement rate for emergency medical services provided by ground ambulance service providers to one hundred percent (100%) of the current Medicare rate.

The Department of Health is required to develop enhanced Medicaid rural and super-rural fee schedules for emergency medical services provided by ground ambulance service providers.

This act requires the Department of Health to report to the Joint Appropriations Committee and the Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee regarding the additional costs incurred by the increased reimbursement rates.

This act provides an appropriation for purposes of increasing the reimbursement rates.

Comments:

Requires a report to the Joint Appropriations Committee and the Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee on or before October 31, 2027.

The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

26LSO-0135

ORIGINAL Senate

ENGROSSED
File No
.
SF0004

ENROLLED ACT NO. 34,

SENATE

SIXTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2026 Budget Session

AN ACT relating to medical assistance and services; providing for increased reimbursement for emergency medical services under the Wyoming Medical Assistance and Services Act as specified; providing appropriations; specifying applicability; requiring reports; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

For the period beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2028, services authorized under the Wyoming Medical Assistance and Services Act involving emergency medical services provided by ground ambulance service providers shall be reimbursed at one hundred percent (100%) of the current Medicare rate, not to exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the provider's or department's usual and customary billed charges. The department of health shall develop enhanced Medicaid rural and super-rural fee schedules for emergency medical services provided by ground ambulance service providers. These reimbursement rates shall apply if the services were rendered during the period beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2028.

Section 2.

The department of health shall report to the joint appropriations committee and the joint labor, health and social services interim committee on or before October 31, 2027 regarding the additional costs incurred by the increased reimbursement rates required by this act. The report required by this section shall include any recommendations for modifications to the reimbursement rates for emergency medical services provided by ground ambulance providers under the Wyoming Medical Assistance and Services Act.

Section 3.

There is appropriated one million three hundred thousand dollars ($1,300,000.00) from the general fund and one million three hundred thousand dollars ($1,300,000.00) from federal funds to the department of health for purposes of increasing the reimbursement rates for services as provided by this act. This appropriation shall be for the period beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2028. This appropriation shall not be transferred or expended for any other purpose and any unexpended, unobligated funds remaining from this appropriation shall revert as provided by law on June 30, 2028. It is the intent of the legislature that this appropriation be included in the standard budget for the department of health for the immediately succeeding fiscal biennium.

Section 4
.

This act is effective July 1, 2026
.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the Senate.

Chief Clerk

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