Medicaid
Turning frustration into action as the end of ET3 puts a wrench in treatment in place, alternate destinations
Agencies and government officials must evaluate performance expectations and funding to determine appropriate EMS delivery models
“If we don’t do something soon with our Medi-Cal rates, then our EMS system is going to implode”
New model would improve resource use and reduce patient, hospital costs
Portland’s Community Health Assess and Treat program was on the verge of having its funding diverted to the FD
The current number of interventions was a factor in ending the model at the end of 2023
The American Ambulance Association details the changing or ending flexibilities and waivers
Three outdated paradigms holding EMS back
The private rates remain below those for the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department
“The cost of actually providing services has really outpaced the reimbursement receipt,” said Linda Frederiksen, executive director for MEDIC
GMR’s Brian Henricksen joins Rob Lawrence for a frank discussion on operational deficits
The company said it will try to transfer employees to its emergency division
The new Medicaid-supported plan allows the state to provide and expand programs like Eugene-based CAHOOTS, whose crews include paramedics
Air Methods Corp. cited the No Surprises Act, inflation and under-reimbursement from Medicare as the reason for the closings
Submitted ground emergency medical transportation services should be only for covered services for Medicaid beneficiaries
The new legislation went into effect on July 1
The state health department will set standards for agencies and enforce them starting in 2024
The money will offset costs of EMS care and transportation services for Medicaid participants between Oct. 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021
Advocates want changes such as higher Medicaid payments, to keep a pandemic waiver on rig staffing, for personnel to be allowed to work across state lines
Medicaid ALS reimbursement would increase from $300 to $400 per trip, and BLS would increase from $180 to $325 per trip
Private insurers will have to negotiate prices directly with ambulance service providers, and Medicaid reimbursement rates will go up
Officials at both the federal and state level said AMR often billed Medicare and Medicaid for advanced service when it provided basic service
The measure passed unanimously in the state senate and also includes reimbursements for transportation to non-emergency facilities
“The government isn’t paying its fair share to make sure that we can appropriately compensate the EMTs and paramedics,” said ISSA President Chris Vandenberg
One initiative states facilities receiving funds through Medicare or Medicaid will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, which likely includes EMS, according to legal scholars
EMS officials testified before state legislative committees saying medics are going underpaid and the system is at risk of collapse
Some companies have left the city due to staffing issues that the remaining services say come down to unsustainable reimbursement rates
The funding opportunity aims to reduce inappropriate use of emergency ambulance services and increase efficiency in EMS systems
The 7-minute survey will provide feedback for CMS regarding waivers during the COVID-19 emergency
