Section 1797.233.
Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 1797.233.
in effect(a)
A ground ambulance provider shall not require an uninsured patient or self-pay patient to pay an amount more than the established payment by Medi-Cal or Medicare fee-for-service amount, whichever is greater.
(b)
(1)
A ground ambulance provider shall only advance to collections the Medicare or Medi-Cal payment amount, as determined pursuant to subdivision (a), that the uninsured or self-pay patient failed to pay.
(2)
The ground ambulance provider, or an entity acting on its behalf, including a debt buyer or assignee of the debt, shall not do either of the following:
(A)
Report adverse information to a consumer credit reporting agency.
(B)
Commence civil action against the individual for a minimum of 12 months after the initial billing regarding amounts owed by the individual pursuant to subdivision (a).
(3)
With respect to an uninsured patient or self-pay patient, the ground ambulance provider, or an entity acting on its behalf, including an assignee of the debt, shall not use wage garnishments or liens on primary residences as a means of collecting unpaid bills pursuant to this section.
(c)
Ground ambulance service providers remain subject to balance billing protections for Medi-Cal beneficiaries under Section 14019.4
of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
References
referencesCal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 14019.4.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026