H 4679

A Bill To Amend The Code Of Laws Of South Carolina, 1976, So As To Enact The "Air Ambulance Affordability Act"; By Adding Section 44-61-55 So As To Provide That No Aircraft May Be Operated As An Air Ambulance Without A Permit Issued By The Department Of Health And Environmental Control, To Provide Requirements For This Permit, And To Provide For The Duration Of The Permit Absent Revocation Or Suspension; To Amend Section 44-61-20, Relating To Definitions Concerning Emergency Medical Services, So As To Define The Term "Air Ambulance"; And By Adding Section 38-71-285 So As To Provide That All Individual And Group Health Insurance Policies And Health Maintenance Organizations Shall Provide Coverage For Air Ambulance Transportation To A Hospital Or Medical Facility For Emergency Treatment Or When A Physician Considers Air Transportation A Medical Necessity, To Provide How This Coverage Must Pay For Air Ambulance Transportation Under These Policies, To Provide This Rate Requirement Is Retroactive Five Years From The Effective Date, And To Provide Necessary Definitions.