Surprise bills and ambulance bills in Oregon
An out-of-network provider may not bill you more than your in-network cost sharing for emergency services, or for other inpatient or outpatient services at an in-network hospital or other facility, unless you chose to get non-emergency care from that out-of-network provider.
Checked against official sources: October 30, 2026.
What Oregon adds
- State law
Oregon balance billing law and ground ambulance law
Law: ORS 743B.287; HB 3243, 2025; ORS 743B.287, 743B.288, 743B.292
- Which plans it covers
Health insurance and health care service contracts regulated by the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. For ground ambulance, self-funded employer plans and the state employee and educator plans (PEBB, OEBB) are covered only if they choose to join.
- What it adds
An out-of-network provider may not bill you more than your in-network cost sharing for emergency services, or for other inpatient or outpatient services at an in-network hospital or other facility, unless you chose to get non-emergency care from that out-of-network provider. If labor and delivery happens at an out-of-network place only because you were diverted during a declared public health emergency, you pay only in-network costs.
- Ground ambulance
The state protects you
For state-regulated plans issued, renewed or extended on or after January 1, 2026, a ground ambulance may not bill you for a covered ride once you have paid your plan's in-network cost sharing. Your plan must pay the ambulance the local rate set by the city or county, or at least 325% of the Medicare rate if there is none. This protects people in state-regulated plans; the state law does not set a limit for people without insurance.
Law: ORS 743B.292 (Or. Laws 2025, ch. 614, HB 3243, secs. 2, 6)
Law: ORS 743B.287, 743B.288, 743B.292
Itemized bills and price estimates in Oregon
Before sending a bill to collections, a hospital or nonprofit hospital clinic must send you its financial assistance policy and an application.
Law: ORS 646A.677(4)
Price estimates
If you have a state-regulated health plan, your insurer must give you a reasonable estimate of your costs in advance for its most common in-network procedures (office visits, imaging, lab tests, normal delivery, immunizations, orthopedic surgery and endoscopy), showing your deductible, what you have met and your cost share. It must also estimate out-of-network costs, including the difference between its allowed amount and the provider's charge. Estimates must be available on a website and by toll-free phone.
Law: ORS 743B.281, 743B.282
Where to complain in Oregon
- Hospital licensing: Oregon Health Authority, Health Facility Licensing and Certification · 971-673-0540
Complaints about a hospital or other licensed health care facility. - Health insurance: Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (consumer advocates) · 1-888-877-4894
A surprise bill, ground ambulance bill or claim problem with a state-regulated health plan, or a problem with an unregistered collection agency. - Attorney general: Oregon Department of Justice, Consumer Protection · 1-877-877-9392
A hospital, collector or credit bureau broke medical debt rules (such as screening, interest or credit reporting) or used unfair collection practices.
Free tools, letters and checklist
Questions about medical bills in Oregon
Am I protected from ground ambulance bills in Oregon?
For state-regulated plans issued, renewed or extended on or after January 1, 2026, a ground ambulance may not bill you for a covered ride once you have paid your plan's in-network cost sharing. Your plan must pay the ambulance the local rate set by the city or county, or at least 325% of the Medicare rate if there is none.