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.
The AAA is very pleased with the approach CMS is taking on data collection which is consistent with the intent of the Congress and the methodology developed and advocated by the AAA. While the AAA comment letter is extremely detailed, our only concern is CMS was not able to test or pilot the sampling methodology and data collection instrument prior to inclusion in the proposed rule. Testing would have allowed CMS to fine-tune the survey and may impact the quality of the first year of data.
Now, it is important that AAA members submit their own letters to demonstrate support for the AAA letter and its key points.
AAA members should go to www.regulations.gov and make three points as follows:
- Our organization supports the approach CMS is proposing to collect ambulance data and we thank CMS and its contractors.
- Since CMS was unable to test the sampling methodology and data collection tool, we are concerned about the potential quality of the first year of data. We therefore ask CMS to begin education of ambulance service suppliers and providers and work with the American Ambulance Association to adjust the methodology and tool, if necessary, for future data collections.
- We fully support the specific comments submitted by the American Ambulance Association as to recommended improvements to the data collection tool.
All you need to do is click on www.regulations.gov and include the above three points. Add your first and last name and click “continue” to then finalize your submission.
The AAA has also developed a sample comment letter you can access by clicking here. Go to www.regulations.gov and instead of adding the three points in the comment back, upload your letter. Please draft your own customized letter using the letter provided by the AAA as a guideline.
Comments are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, September 27, so please submit your comment letter today! Please also feel free to forward this email to state ambulance associations and other ambulance service organizations.
The AAA will be submitting a second letter in the next week just on seeking clarification around changes to PCS requirements in the proposed rule but will not be asking members to submit similar comments.
We greatly appreciate the work of CMS and its contractors in developing the ambulance data collection system.
Thank you in advance to all of you who take the time to submit comment letters.
Questions?: Contact Us:
If you have questions about the legislation or regulatory initiatives being undertaken by the AAA, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the AAA Government Affairs Team.
Tristan North – Senior Vice President of Government Affairs
tnorth@ambulance.org | (202) 802-9025
Aidan Camas – Manager of State & Federal Government Affairs
acamas@ambulance.org | (202) 802-9026
Thank you for your continued membership and support.
2020, ambulance cost education, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), cost data collection, Medicare, Physician Fee Schedule