CMS To Phase-In Expansion of Medicare Prior Authorization Model
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Ambulance Decontamination White Paper
Published by Demers-Braun-Crestline
866-636-0415 (US)
866-667-0856 (CA)
514-971-4509 (Intl)
COVID-19 is the present-day challenge facing our first responders, but infectious diseases have always posed a threat to EMS personnel and their patients. Developed with insights and internal testing from engineering resources at Demers-Braun-Crestline, the white paper aims to identify verified solutions to reducing the spread of infectious diseases inside an ambulance. Highlighted are five key areas of focus; each is discussed in-depth to help identify why it is important and what proven options are available to implement inside an ambulance.
The white paper includes a detailed overview of each of these, helping to educate readers on ambulance options and features that assist in limiting the spread of viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. From plexiglass dividers to HEPA filters, chemical fogging systems to self-disinfecting surfaces, and everything in-between, this white paper outlines a variety of solutions that every emergency response organization should consider for protecting patients and personnel from infectious diseases.
Download the White Paper online for free
CMS Announces 2021 Ambulance Inflation Factor
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10/22 CMS Ambulance ODF Updated Agenda
Open Door Forum Dial-In
October 22, 2020 at 1:00–2:30pm ET
Dial: 1-888-455-1397
Conference Passcode: 9375124
The next CMS Ambulance Open Door Forum scheduled for:
Date: Thursday October 22, 2020
Start Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm PM Eastern Time (ET);
Please dial-in at least 15 minutes before call start time.
Conference Leaders: Jill Darling, Susanne Seagrave
**This Agenda is Subject to Change**
1. Opening Remarks
- Acting Chair- Susanne Seagrave, Acting Director, Division of Data Analysis and Market-Based Pricing (Center for Medicare)
- Moderator – Jill Darling (Office of Communications)
2. Announcements & Updates
- Repetitive, Scheduled Non-Emergent Ambulance Transport (RSNAT) Prior Authorization Model Update
- ET3 Overview and Update
– ET3Model@cms.hhs.gov for inquiries
– ET3 Model Listserv for Model updates: https://public.govdelivery.
- CY 2021 Ambulance Inflation Factor (AIF) https://www.cms.gov/files/
document/r10396CP.pdf. - COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Waiver and Flexibility Information
– COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Fee For Service (FFS) Billing document is available at: https://www.cms.gov/files/
-CMS is using its statutory authority under section 1135(b)(5) of the Act to modify the data collection and reporting period for ground ambulance organizations that were selected to report in year 1 of the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System. This modification has been issued on page 30 in the following document: https://www.cms.gov/files/
3. Open Q&A
**DATE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE**
Next Ambulance Open Door Forum: TBA
ODF email: AMBULANCEODF@cms.hhs.gov
——————————
This Open Door Forum is open to everyone, but if you are a member of the Press, you may listen in but please refrain from asking questions during the Q & A portion of the call. If you have inquiries, please contact CMS at Press@cms.hhs.gov. Thank you.
Open Door Participation Instructions:
This call will be Conference Call Only.
To participate by phone:
Dial: 1-888-455-1397 & Reference Conference Passcode: 9375124
Persons participating by phone do not need to RSVP. TTY Communications Relay Services are available for the Hearing Impaired. For TTY services dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-2880. A Relay Communications Assistant will help.
Instant Replay: 1-866-448-2572; Conference Passcode: No Passcode needed
Instant Replay is an audio recording of this call that can be accessed by dialing 1-866-448-2572 and entering the Conference Passcode beginning 1 hours after the call has ended. The recording is available until October 24, 11:59PM ET.
For ODF schedule updates and E-Mailing List registration, visit our website at http://www.cms.gov/
Were you unable to attend the recent Ambulance ODF call? We encourage you to visit our CMS Podcasts and Transcript webpage where you can listen and view the most recent Ambulance ODF call. Please allow up to three weeks to get both the audio and transcript posted to: https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-
CMS provides free auxiliary aids and services including information in accessible formats. Click here for more information. This will point partners to our CMS.gov version of the “Accessibility & Nondiscrimination notice” page. Thank you.
KFF 2020 Employer Health Benefits Survey
From the Kaiser Family Foundation on October 8
This annual survey of employers provides a detailed look at trends in employer-sponsored health coverage, including premiums, employee contributions, cost-sharing provisions, offer rates, wellness programs, and employer practices. The 2020 survey included 1,765 interviews with non-federal public and private firms.
Annual premiums for employer-sponsored family health coverage reached $21,342 this year, up 4% from last year, with workers on average paying $5,588 toward the cost of their coverage. The average deductible among covered workers in a plan with a general annual deductible is $1,644 for single coverage. Fifty-five percent of small firms and 99% of large firms offer health benefits to at least some of their workers, with an overall offer rate of 56%.
Survey results are released in several formats, including a full report with downloadable tables on a variety of topics, a summary of findings, and an article published in the journal Health Affairs.
Legislative Update: EMS Counts Act
While negotiations for a fourth Stimulus package to address the impacts of the coronavirus remain at an impasse, the AAA continues to monitor Congressional activity for other legislation which impacts ambulance service providers and suppliers:
H.R. 8592 – EMS Counts Act of 2020
Introduced on October 13, 2020, by Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA-07) H.R. 8592 requires the Secretary of Labor to revise the Standard Occupational Classification System to accurately count the number of emergency medical services practitioners in the United States.
The Standard Occupational Classification system is a statistical standard used by federal agencies to classify workers into occupational categories for the purpose of collecting, calculating, or disseminating data. All workers are classified into one of 867 detailed occupations according to their occupational definition.
H.R. 8592 has been referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor for consideration.
The AAA will continue to press the Congress and federal agencies for help to ensure ambulance service organizations, and our paramedics and EMTs serving on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, have the necessary resources and financial assistance to serve their communities.
If you have any questions about the AAA’s advocacy efforts, please do not hesitate to contact us at Info@Ambulance.org.
CMS Ambulance Open Door Forum Oct 22
From CMS on October 16
Open Door Participation Instructions:
October 22, 1:00–2:30 on ET
This call will be Conference Call Only.
To participate by phone:
Dial: 1-888-455-1397 & Reference Conference Passcode: 9375124
Persons participating by phone do not need to RSVP. TTY Communications Relay Services are available for the Hearing Impaired. For TTY services dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-2880. A Relay Communications Assistant will help.
Instant Replay: 1-866-448-2572; Conference Passcode: No Passcode needed
Instant Replay is an audio recording of this call that can be accessed by dialing 1-866-448-2572 and entering the Conference Passcode beginning 1 hours after the call has ended. The recording is available until October 24, 11:59PM ET.
The next CMS Ambulance Open Door Forum is scheduled for:
Date: Thursday October 22, 2020
Start Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm PM Eastern Time (ET);
Please dial-in at least 15 minutes before call start time.
Conference Leaders: Jill Darling, Susanne Seagrave
**This Agenda is Subject to Change**
1. Opening Remarks
- Acting Chair- Susanne Seagrave, Acting Director, Division of Data Analysis and Market-Based Pricing (Center for Medicare)
- Moderator – Jill Darling (Office of Communications)
2. Announcements & Updates
- Repetitive, Scheduled Non-Emergent Ambulance Transport (RSNAT) Prior Authorization Model Update – https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/
press-releases/cms-expand- successful-ambulance-program- integrity-payment-model- nationwide
-
- ET3 Overview and Update
- ET3Model@cms.hhs.gov for inquiries
- ET3 Model Listserv for Model updates: https://public.govdelivery.
com/accounts/USCMS/subscriber/ new?topic_id=USCMS_12521
- COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Waiver and Flexibility Information
- COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Fee For Service (FFS) Billing document is available at: https://www.cms.gov/files/
document/03092020-covid-19- faqs-508.pdf. Ambulance services FAQs begins on page 41.
- COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Fee For Service (FFS) Billing document is available at: https://www.cms.gov/files/
- CMS is using its statutory authority under section 1135(b)(5) of the Act to modify the data collection and reporting period for ground ambulance organizations that were selected to report in year 1 of the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System. This modification has been issued on page 30 in the following document: https://www.cms.gov/files/
document/summary-covid-19- emergency-declaration-waivers. pdf.
3. Open Q&A
**DATE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE**
Next Ambulance Open Door Forum: TBA
ODF email: AMBULANCEODF@cms.hhs.gov
——————————
This Open Door Forum is open to everyone, but if you are a member of the Press, you may listen in but please refrain from asking questions during the Q & A portion of the call. If you have inquiries, please contact CMS at Press@cms.hhs.gov. Thank you.
For ODF schedule updates and E-Mailing List registration, visit our website at http://www.cms.gov/
Were you unable to attend the recent Ambulance ODF call? We encourage you to visit our CMS Podcasts and Transcript webpage where you can listen and view the most recent Ambulance ODF call. Please allow up to three weeks to get both the audio and transcript posted to: https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-
CMS provides free auxiliary aids and services including information in accessible formats. Click here for more information. This will point partners to our CMS.gov version of the “Accessibility & Nondiscrimination notice” page. Thank you.
NHTSA Office of EMS Annual Update
From the NHTSA Office of EMS
Find out more about what’s been accomplished in 2020 and how you can get involved in national efforts to improve EMS
This year has been like no other for each of you, and the same is true at the NHTSA Office of EMS. Since COVID-19 first hit the United States, we’ve been busy working with our partners at the federal, state and local levels to support EMS clinicians serving on the front lines of our healthcare system.
At the same time, our other important work to advance EMS systems nationwide has continued, from updating the National EMS Education Standards to developing evidence-based guidelines, and so much more. Many of you have continued to contribute to these efforts by serving on expert panels, attending virtual meetings and providing critical feedback. Thank you for these efforts to achieve the vision put forth in EMS Agenda 2050 even as you confront one of the most challenging years we have faced, professionally and personally.