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With the state legislative session nearing its end, the state Senate has passed legislation that gives EMS providers the ability to transport patients to crisis centers.
Senate Bill 1403, sponsored by Sen. Frank Farry with co-sponsorship support from Republicans Traccy Pennycuick, Rosemary BRown, Camera Bartolotta, Joe Picozzi and Elder Vogel, was unanimously approved by the state Senate recently. The bill will now go to the state House of Representatives for consideration.
"This legislation removes unnecessary barriers and gives our EMS professionals more options to continue providing patients the care they need, including taking a patient having a mental health issue to a crisis center," said Farry. "By expanding authorized destinations and establishing clear reimbursement requirements, we can better support EMS agencies and the communities they serve."
Senate Bill 1403 would allow EMS agencies to transport patients who need medical assessment and treatment following an emergency to a broader range of authorized receiving facilities. These facilities could include hospitals, nonhospital drug and alcohol detoxification or rehabilitation facilities and other facilities under Pennsylvania EMS law. The legislation would also establish reimbursement protocols for EMS agencies that provide emergency treatment and, when necessary, transport patients to an authorized receiving facility. Insurers, Medical Assistance managed care plans and Children's Health Insurance Program managed care plans would be required to pay the applicable emergency services payment
"Every patient deserves timely access to care in the setting that best meets their needs," said Nicole Stallings, president and CEO of HAP. "Allowing EMS to transport individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis directly to crisis centers will help connect patients with appropriate, specialized care sooner, while improving emergency departments throughout and helping hospitals deliver timely care to all patients. HAP thanks Sen. Farry for championing this important legislation."
Farry said allowing EMS teams and regional medical councils to collaborate with local law enforcement, co-responders and mobile crisis teams can reduce the burden on emergency rooms, particularly in rural areas, and allow them to make the most appropriate decision for a patient's care. Farry said the crisis response system continues to expand in Pennsylvania, with crisis walk-ins and behavioral health emergency departments and units becoming increasingly accessible points of care in our communities. The state budget approved in July includes $10 million in dedicated state funding to support 988, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, in addition to $5 million for walk-in behavioral health crisis stabilization centers, with priority to be given to regions with limited access to immediate, in-person care. The Lehigh County Crisis Intervention Center is one of 14 individual 988 call centers throughout the Commonwealth. The center provides 24/7 support for individuals experiencing a behavioral health or mental health crisis through additional services including telephone crisis counseling, walk-in services, and mobile outreach.
"We are grateful for the unanimous bipartisan support of Sen. Farry's Senate Bill 1403, which expands emergency medical services options to transport patients having special needs to an alternate destination other than a hospital emergency department," said Evan N. Resnikoff, M.S. NRP chief of Newtown EMS. "Pennsylvania could join other states such as Washington, West Virginia and New York, whereas patients in mental health crisis can be transported directly to a mental health crisis center for faster access to emergency mental health care."