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...

2019 Avesta Private EMS Turnover Study

Once again, this year, the American Ambulance Association partnered with Avesta to conduct our annual survey of employee turnover in the private EMS industry. As a valued member of the association, it is our pleasure to share it with you today. Download the Avesta 2019 EMS Employee Turnover Study The survey was conducted and managed by...

Remembering Joe Huffman

It is with great sadness the American Ambulance Association announces the passing of long-time member and leader Joe Huffman. Obituary  Joe (Joel Claude) Huffman, a long- time member of the American Ambulance Association Board of Directors answered his Last Call July 1, 2019. after a long battle with Leukemia. Born August 11, 1954, Mr. Huffman died at...

House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee Takes Action on Balance Billing

On July 11, 2019, the House Energy and Commerce Committee Health Subcommittee held a markup in which they advanced 10 health care bills, including legislation on surprise/balance billing. This legislation, H.R. 3630, the No Surprises Act attempts to address out-of-network surprise medical bills. The AAA Government Affairs team has been in regular communication with...

2019 Ambulance Ride-Along Toolkit

2019 Ride-Along Toolkit Now Available! Educating your members of Congress about ambulance industry issues makes them much more likely to support your efforts. An easy and effective way to educate them is to invite them to participate in a local Ambulance Ride-Along! Congress is scheduled to adjourn on July 27 for their August congressional recess with...

Update on AAA Legislative Priorities

The American Ambulance Association has been working hard to accomplish the legislative goals of the membership in the 116th Congress. The AAA would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on what we have accomplished thus far in the 116th Congress. Balance/Surprise Billing Balance/surprise billing is a hot button issue that recently came into the...

In Memory of Patrick Wells Smith

Patrick Wells Smith, age 65, passed away unexpectedly on June 21, 2019, at his home in Reno, Nev.  He was well-known as a nationally-respected innovator and icon in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) industry. Most recently he was the President and CEO of REMSA (Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority) and Care Flight, based in...

AAA Honors 107 EMS Professionals at 2019 Stars of Life Awards

For Immediate Release AAA HONORS 107 EMS PROFESSIONALS AT 2019 STARS OF LIFE AWARDS Contact Amanda Riordan 703-610-9018 ariordan@ambulance.org www.ambulance.org Washington, DC,  June 23, 2019– The American Ambulance Association (AAA) celebrated the best and brightest of EMS professionals during its annual Stars of Life celebration June 24-26. At this year’s event, 107 individuals from across the United States and Trinidad & Tobago, were...

2019 AAA Legislative Awards

The American Ambulance Association is proud to announce the winners of the 2019 AAA Legislative Awards, in recognition of their strong advocacy for emergency medical services. Each legislator was chosen for their ongoing dedication to the ambulance services across the United States. 2019 AAA Legislator of the Year Representative Terri Sewell (D-AL) 2019 AAA Legislative Recognition Award Recipients Senators Senator Bill...

Representative Terri Sewell To Receive Highest Legislative Honor From American Ambulance Association

Washington, DC – The American Ambulance Association (AAA) will honor Representative Terri Sewell with its Legislator of the Year Award in recognition of her advocacy for emergency medical services. Representative Sewell is scheduled to receive this honor at the AAA’s Annual Stars of Life Awards Ceremony on June 25 in Washington, D.C. The Stars of Life...

Nevada Passes Law that Restricts Employer Drug Test Use in Hiring

A new Nevada law that bans employers from refusing to hire job candidates who fail a drug test due to the presence of marijuana has specifically carved out Fire, EMS, or employers whose employees must operate a motor vehicle.  The new law, which was signed by Governor Sisolak on June 5th makes it unlawful...

CMMI Releases Preview of ET3 RFA

On May 22, 2019, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) released a preview of the Request for Applications (RFAs). This documentation will be used by ambulance providers and suppliers to apply for inclusion as “Participants” in the Emergency Triage, Treat, and Transport (ET3) pilot program. Webinar: Learn More About the RFA June 13, 2019...