Submit Comments on Ambulance Data Collection System

Yesterday, the AAA submitted our comment letter to the proposed rule on changes for FY2020 to the Medicare ambulance fee schedule. The comment letter focused on the section of the proposed rule on the ambulance data collection system. For a copy of the detailed 28-page comment letter, please click here. Read the AAA...

Rest in Peace, Bryan Fass of The Fit Responder

Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and colleagues of Bryan Fass of The Fit Responder. View this JEMS article for a biography of Bryan as well as the details for his memorial service.

2019 AAA Election—Floor Nominations

To All AAA Members, In accordance with the AAA Bylaws, floor nominations for the Board, Ethics and Honorary Membership positions for the 2019 election will be accepted by the AAA board prior to their approval of the slate of candidates. If you are interested in a position or nominating another member, but have not filled...

ET3 Application Window Extended to October 5

CMS has announced an extension of the ET3 application process to October 5, 2019 at 11:59 PM ET. Read more at https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/et3.

CMS Announces Extension of Prior Authorization Program

On September 16, 2019, CMS published a notice in the Federal Register that it would be extending the prior authorization demonstration project for another year. The extension is limited to those states where prior authorization was in effect for calendar year 2019. The affected states are Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South...

Spotlight: Eric Chase, Pafford EMS

Eric Chase Paramedic & Field Training Officer Pafford EMS Bethany, Oklahoma Other Titles & Roles Member, American Ambulance Association Education Committee Tell us a little about yourself. I grew up in Warren, PA. I had three brothers and we were all very active in sports, theater and community activities. We had family vacations that allowed us to explore the history and...

Financial Hardship Policies: Steps for Your Protection [Sponsored]

By Eric van Doesburg, MP Cloud Technologies In an industry whose sole focus is to help those in need, it’s natural for us to want to assist patients financially when they’re in hardship situations. Waiving deductibles and copays for patients that have either claimed poverty, or simply for bills that seem too small to make a...

Spotlight: Desiree Partain, Medstar Mobile Healthcare

Desiree Partain Mobile Integrated Healthcare Manager Medstar Mobile Healthcare Fort Worth, Texas Other Titles & Roles MIH Manager at Large, IBSC, NAEMT member Tell us a little about yourself. Born and raised in sunny San Diego, California. I have a military ( marine grandfather and navy grandfather, brother, and nephew) and first responder (law enforcement mother) family background. Days were spent...

Preliminary Calculation of 2020 Ambulance Inflation Update

Section 1834(l)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act mandates that the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule be updated each year to reflect inflation. This update is referred to as the “Ambulance Inflation Factor” or “AIF”. The AIF is calculated by measuring the increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) for the 12-month period...

CMS Open Door Forum & Member Q&A - August 28

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has scheduled its next Ambulance Open Door Forum for Wednesday, August 28 at 2:00 PM Eastern. If you plan to attend, please dial in at least 15 minutes before the call. CMS Ambulance Open Door Forum August 28 | 2:00 PM ET Participant Dial-In Number:  1-888-455-1397 Conference ID #: 6609831 Questions? Have more questions? The AAA...

New SNF Consolidated Billing Edits: FAQs

On April 1, 2019, CMS implemented a new series of Common Working File (CWF) edits that it stated would better identify ground ambulance transports that were furnished in connection with an outpatient hospital service that would be bundled to the skilled nursing facility (SNF) under the SNF Consolidated Billing regime. Unfortunately, the implementation of these...

Nominations Open - AAA Board of Directors!

Call For Nominations Now Open! Submit a Nomination Submit Candidate Questionnaire In accordance with the Bylaws of the American Ambulance Association, it is time to call for members in good standing that wish to serve on the Board of Directors. The AAA is now seeking candidates for the following positions: Region I Director (CT, MA, ME,...

ET3 Model Application Portal Now Open

Emergency Triage, Treatment and Transport (ET3) Model Application Portal is Now Open! On August 5, 2019, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) announced that it had opened its Request for Application (RFA) Online Portal. The Online Portal can be found on the ET3 Model website. The Online Portal can also be accessed directly...

Ambulance Cost Collection Rule Summary

The proposed rule sets the foundation for the data collection system for ground ambulances.  It proposes a stratified random sample method, that is very similar to the one the AAA proposed via the work we commissioned through The Moran Company. We are working through the stratification categories, which are slightly different than those we identified. CMS...

CMS Releases Proposed Cost Collection Rule

Today, CMS has released the proposed rule that would establish the ambulance fee schedule cost collection system as required by statute. The AAA is currently reviewing the rule and will provide a more detailed summary in the coming days. On Tueusday, July 30 at 12:00pm Eastern, the AAA will be hosting a free webinar during which AAA...