Member Advisory: CMMI Releases Initial List of ET3 Participants

Posted on February 27, 2020 by Tristan North

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMMI) has released its initial list of applicants selected to participate in the ET3 pilot program. CMMI notes that the list is not final as it still needs to execute participation agreements with the applicants. CMMI will issue a final list once it completes the process. Applicants from 36 states and the District of Columbia were selected to participate in the program. Approximately 200 applicants were approved with instances in which the same ambulance service organization submitted applications for multiple counties as well as more than one organization submitting an application for the same county. CMMI has sent notifications to each of the applicants letting them know to expect a follow up email with the partnership agreement, program guidance and additional details. The ET3 program is a five-year voluntary pilot program designed to test the potential benefit to the Medicare program and patients of ambulance service providers and suppliers furnishing treatment in place as well as transport to alternative destinations. For more information about the ET3 program, please go the ET3 website.

COVID-19 Coronavirus EMS Advisory 1

Posted on February 25, 2020 by Rob Lawrence

This guidance is written to offer American Ambulance Association members the situational background and a list of resources and websites with which to draw guidance and further updates on the latest situation with COVID-19, colloquially referred to as “Coronavirus.” Key information for this update has been drawn from the NHTSA EMS Focus series webinar What EMS, 911 and Other Public Safety Personnel Need to Know About COVID-19, which took place on February 24, 2020. The on-demand recording is available below. General Information Background The COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease was first reported in Wuhan China in December 2019. CDC identifies that it was caused by the virus SARS – CoV-2. Early on, many patients were reported to have a link to a large seafood and live animal market. Later, patients did not have exposure to animal markets which indicates person-to-person transmission. Travel-related exportation of cases into the US was first reported January 21, 2020. For reference the first North American EMS experience of COVID-19 patient transport, including key lessons learned, can be found in the EMS 1 article Transporting Patient 1. Spread and Identification Global investigations are now ongoing to better understand the spread. Based on what is known about other coronaviruses, it (more…)

Injury Tracking Application Update

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Scott Moore

This is a reminder for ambulance service providers that the deadline for submitting your OSHA Form 300A Injury Data electronically through OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application (ITA) is March 2, 2020. All employers are required to electronically submit a summary of their workplace injuries to OSHA. The Form 300A Summary of Workplace Injuries is the same information that employers are required to post annually from February 1 through April 30 in all work locations. If you have not already done so, make sure you submit your information no later than March 2, 2020. This requirement applies to all employers in any state. Even if your state has an OSHA approved state-level workplace safety plan. If you need any assistance, please contact the AAA for guidance....

This content is available only to AAA members.
Log In or Register

40 Under 40: Celia Cuevas (Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service Inc. – Merrillville, IN)

Posted on February 17, 2020 by American Ambulance Association

40 Under 40 nominees were selected based on their contributions to the American Ambulance Association, their employer, state ambulance association, other professional associations, and/or the EMS profession. ____ Celia Cuevas Station Manager Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service Inc. Merrillville, IN ____ Nominated by: Jeff Collins ____ Biography: Celia “Cece” Cuevas was born and raised in East Chicago, Indiana. Cece got into EMS for many reasons but the number one reason has to do with an old co-worker Andre. When Cece was 10 years old, she was shot three times in a drive by shooting as an innocent by stander. Cece was in and out of consciousness before a medic picked her up and carried her to an ambulance. This medic’s name was Andre. Andre took care of Cece on the ambulance and at the hospital, making sure that she was well taken care of. Andre saved Cece’s life and she grew up wanting to be just like him. When Cece was old enough, she went to EMT school and was even able to work side by side Andre. Cece is the skilled medic she is today thanks to Andre’s help and inspiration. ____ Reason for Nomination: Cece is an amazing person (more…)

40 Under 40: Amanda Jimeson (EMSA – Oklahoma City, OK)

Posted on February 17, 2020 by American Ambulance Association

40 Under 40 nominees were selected based on their contributions to the American Ambulance Association, their employer, state ambulance association, other professional associations, and/or the EMS profession. ____ Amanda Jimeson Deputy Chief of Patient Billing Services EMSA Oklahoma, OK ____ LinkedIn Nominated by: Angela McLain ____ Biography: Amanda Jimeson currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Patient Billing Services and has been a part of the EMSA team for the past seven years. Amanda has more than 15 years of experience in management of patient billing, coding, physician training, compliance, education, and documentation. In addition, Amanda is credentialed as a Certified Professional Coder, Certified Ambulance Coder, Certified Ambulance Documentation Specialist, and has received her Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK. Amanda is a member of AAPC, NAAC, and serves on the Medicare Regulatory Committee for the American Ambulance Association. ____ Reason for Nomination: Known to the EMSA team as Mandi, she was asked two years ago to step out of her comfort zone and take on Patient Billing Services for EMSA. Mandi had a proven career in coding, documentation and provider training, (more…)

40 Under 40: Alicia Ney (Paramount Ambulance – Peosta, IA)

Posted on February 17, 2020 by American Ambulance Association

40 Under 40 nominees were selected based on their contributions to the American Ambulance Association, their employer, state ambulance association, other professional associations, and/or the EMS profession. ____ Alicia Ney Business Development & Training Coordinator Paramount Ambulance Peosta, Iowa ____ LinkedIn Nominated by: Kathy Griffin ____ Biography: Alicia Ney, along with her twin brother Andy Ney, was recognized at last year’s American Ambulance Association (AAA) Conference as one of the youngest leaders in EMS. At the age of 27, Alicia has already been working as an EMS provider for nine years. Of those nine years, Alicia has worked as a member of the management team at Paramount Ambulance for nearly five years. Over that time, Alicia obtained her Paramedic certification, so as to better provide EMS car, bring knowledge to her position, and to better understand the providers she was managing and training. In 2010, when Alicia became an EMT in high school, it was not about the excitement of working in EMS, but rather satisfying her dad by working for his newly established private ambulance service. Alongside her twin brother, Alicia became one of the youngest EMTs in the state of Iowa at the time. Throughout college, Alicia worked (more…)

40 Under 40: Amanda Shell Jennings (Priority Ambulance – Knoxville, TN)

Posted on February 17, 2020 by American Ambulance Association

40 Under 40 nominees were selected based on their contributions to the American Ambulance Association, their employer, state ambulance association, other professional associations, and/or the EMS profession. ____ Amanda Shell Jennings Director of Marketing and Communications Priority Ambulance Knoxville, Tennessee ____ LinkedIn Nominated by: Dennis Rowe ____ Biography: As Director of Marketing and Communications, Amanda Shell Jennings manages internal and external communications throughout the Priority Ambulance family of companies. Jennings provided marketing and public relations support for the company since its founding in 2014 in her previous role as Senior Account Executive with public relations firm Moxley Carmichael. Prior to joining Priority Ambulance, Jennings was a top performing account executive at premier East Tennessee public relations firm Moxley Carmichael for five years, where she created and executed strategic communications plans for Priority Ambulance, Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville Convention Center, Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum, US Nitrogen, and Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation, among other clients. Jennings specializes in media relations, event planning, marketing, crisis communications, internal communications, and social media strategy. Jennings is involved in local professional organizations. Jennings currently serves on the Communications Committee for the American Ambulance Association and as Treasurer of the Volunteer Chapter of the Public Relations Society (more…)

40 Under 40: Luke Culleny (Chatham EMS – Savannah, GA)

Posted on February 17, 2020 by American Ambulance Association

40 Under 40 nominees were selected based on their contributions to the American Ambulance Association, their employer, state ambulance association, other professional associations, and/or the EMS profession. ____ Luke Culleny Paramedic / IT Coordinator Chatham EMS Savannah, GA ____ LinkedIn Nominated by: Phil Koster ____ Biography: Luke Culleny holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Film and Television as well as many other technology based certifications. Luke was first exposed to EMS during his time as a Associate Producer in film and fell in love with public safety. Luke returned to school and is a four-year veteran of Chatham EMS as an EMT, then Paramedic. Luke frequently works ambulance shifts as his IT schedule allows. Luke’s hobbies include woodworking and filming (including drone use). ____ Reason for Nomination: Luke Culleny maintains a passion for EMS which combines with his love, experience, and knowledge of IT systems and multi media. This combination has resulted in multiple significant advancements at Chatham EMS. Luke has successfully overseen dispatch CAD and ePCR software launches along with projects to assure ECG transmissions to receiving ERs. Whereas this may be standard for some, Luke pushes IT abilities by developing better interfaces to report frequency of ECG transmissions to (more…)