State Snap Shots to Support EMS Advocacy
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Whitepaper | State-Level Ambulance Balance Billing Overview
The American Ambulance Association (AAA) is pleased to announce the release of its new state-level whitepaper, Ground Ambulance Balance Billing: Overview and Recommendations. Developed by a collaborative team of industry experts, this comprehensive resource provides an in-depth examination of the complex regulatory landscape surrounding ground ambulance billing and the ongoing challenges of keeping consumers out of the middle of payment disputes. The whitepaper offers an overview of existing state laws, gaps in current policy, and pragmatic recommendations—including standardized payment methods and consumer protections—that can inform both policymakers and EMS providers nationwide.
By sharing promising practices from around the country and highlighting the recent work of the Ground Ambulance and Patient Billing Advisory Committee, Ground Ambulance Balance Billing: Overview and Recommendations underscores the AAA’s commitment to safeguarding patients while supporting fair, sustainable reimbursement for ambulance services. We encourage all EMS stakeholders, insurers, and legislators to review this important paper and join us in shaping policies that protect patients and ensure the ongoing availability of these vital, life-saving services.
(Free to AAA members. $1000 list.)
EMS.gov | State EMS Bill Tracking Database Updated with Key Enacted Legislation
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RFP | State EMS Policy Whitepaper & Strategic Consulting
Request for Proposal
State EMS Policy Whitepaper Development & Strategic Consulting Services
Overview and Objectives
The American Ambulance Association (AAA) seeks proposals from qualified consulting firms to provide strategic services in the field of ambulance and emergency medical services. The selected firm will work collaboratively with the Association to identify opportunities, analyze state landscapes, develop policy recommendations, and manage the project efficiently.
About the American Ambulance Association
Caring for People—First.
The American Ambulance Association safeguards the future of mobile healthcare through advocacy, thought leadership, and education. AAA advances sustainable EMS policy, empowering our members to serve their communities with high-quality on-demand healthcare. For more than 40 years, we have proudly represented those who care for people first. AAA’s 1500+ organizational members serve cities and counties in all 50 states.
Scope of Services
The consulting firm shall provide the following services:
- Planning and Strategy Session: Convene a strategy session with key AAA leaders to prioritize states for research and opportunity development.
- State Landscape Research and Analysis: Conduct comprehensive research and analysis for no fewer than ten states, focusing on:
- State statutes, regulations, and Medicaid policies for ambulance services.
- Medicaid fee schedules for ambulance services.
- State policies on balance billing and treatment in place.
- Initiatives addressing ambulance workforce shortage, including the use of grants and ARPA funds, with a particular focus on availability or potential availability for non-governmental EMS providers.
- Policy Recommendation Development: Collaborate with AAA to develop in-depth state-level policy recommendations on the topics of EMS workforce recruitment and retention, balance billing, and treatment in place.
- Whitepaper Development: Write, edit, and publish no fewer than three in-depth whitepapers focused on state-level EMS recruitment and retention, balance billing, and treatment in place policy. The whitepapers should be suitable for use by EMS providers and state level legislators and regulators seeking to identify state EMS policy best practices.
- Project Management & Communication: Provide robust project management, including regular client meetings to review goals and progress during the development of policy recommendations and whitepapers. Facilitate regular coordination and progress review calls and monthly written updates.
All deliverables should be received in calendar year 2024.
Fees and Expenses
Proposals must include a detailed fee structure, including hourly rates for various personnel and any applicable prorated fees. A fixed total or capped amount is strongly preferred over uncapped “time and expenses” billing.
Submission Guidelines
Proposals should be submitted by January 31, 2024 to info@ambulance.org with the subject line “State EMS Whitepaper Proposal.” Proposals should include a detailed approach to the scope of services, a proposed timeline for deliverable development, detailed qualifications of the team, and a clear fee structure. Submitters should include examples of past work of similar scope in the broader healthcare field.
Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on the firm’s experience, approach to the project, team qualifications, and cost-effectiveness. Notification will be delivered by February 29, 2024.
NCSL EMS Legislative Database
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988 Lifeline Transition – Partner Toolkit and Jobs Web Page
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SAMHSA anticipates 988 will continue to grow and evolve over the years. In 2021, the Lifeline received 3.6 million calls, chats, and texts. That number is expected to at least double within the first full year after the 988 transition.
SAMHSA continues to hold convenings with state, territorial, and tribal leaders – as well as crisis contact centers, public safety answering points, and behavioral health providers – to prepare for 988. One of the most urgent needs involves staffing at crisis centers. Anyone interested in serving in these critical positions is encouraged to visit the 988 jobs web page. |
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FAIR Health | Ground Ambulance Services in the United States
From FAIR Health in February 2022
“Currently, no federal law protects consumers against “surprise” bills from out-of-network ground ambulance providers. Some state and local governments regulate ground ambulance surprise billing practices; however, such laws may not apply to all health plans or ambulance providers in an area. Because of the substantial policy interest in ground ambulance services, FAIR Health drew on its vast database of private healthcare claims to illuminate multiple aspects of such services across the nation, including utilization, costs, age, gender, diagnoses and differences across states.”
Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice Selects Ray Mollers as its Executive Director
National Partner Release, September 1, 2021
From the Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice
For Additional Information, Contact: Dan Manz, Educator, dmanz@emscompact.gov
Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice selects Ray Mollers as its Executive Director
The Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice (ICEMSPP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Ray Mollers as its first Executive Director. Mr. Mollers will be Commission’s principal administrator and responsible for the day-to-day management of the EMS Compact while leading growth, strengthening operations, and increasing collaboration with state and federal EMS officials, partner organizations, and stakeholders.
Ray joins the EMS Compact team after serving as the Director of Stakeholder Partnerships with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). During his time at the National Registry, he managed stakeholder relationships and led the creation of a team responsible for enhancing partnerships, improving collaboration amongst EMS professionals, and increasing communication with stakeholders and State EMS Offices. Prior to the National Registry, he served our nation with 32 years of combined Federal service with the US Army Special Forces and Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Health Affairs.
“Today, over 300,000 EMS personnel in the United States have a multi-state privilege to practice”, said Joseph Schmider, Chairperson of the ICEMSPP Executive Committee. “With over 20 participating states, it was evident that the EMS Compact needed a full time Executive Director. Ray is an accomplished, humble professional. He was involved with the initial conceptual discussions of an EMS Compact a decade ago and has remained a key advocate since. Ray understands the EMS Compact – its purpose and history – and has established relationships with State EMS Offices and other key national partners.”
“I am so honored and excited to carry forward all the hard work done to date and shepherd the EMS Compact into its next chapter,” says Mr. Mollers.
Ray will start his service as the EMS Compact’s Executive Director on September 20, 2021. Dan Manz, the EMS Compact’s Educator is retiring, but will continue working in that position through the end of 2021 to assure a smooth transition.
For more information visit EMSCompact.gov.
Oregon | President Baird Joins OHA COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee
From the Oregon Department of Human Services on December 31
OHA completes recruitment for COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee
27-member group to create sequencing for COVID-19 immunizations
PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Health Authority has completed recruitment for its Vaccine Advisory Committee (VAC) that will determine the sequence in which new COVID-19 vaccines are distributed around the state.
The 27-member committee will advise OHA on vaccine sequencing for phases 1b, 1c and 2 of the state’s vaccine distribution plan, with the goal of prioritizing communities most affected by COVID-19. The COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee will be grounded in OHA’s definition of health equity, which—as cited in this excerpt—is a health system where “all people can reach their full health potential and well-being and are not disadvantaged by their race, ethnicity, language, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, intersections among these communities or identities, or other socially determined circumstances.”
To advance health equity, and counter unjust COVID-19 inequities, the COVID-19 VAC will:
- Advise OHA on the ethical principles that should guide decisions on sequencing of COVID-19 vaccines.
- Review data on COVID-19 and immunization inequities.
- Advise OHA on which workers, high-risk groups or critical populations should be sequenced at what time, taking into consideration where they are located across the state.
The committee roster is as follows:
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Aileen Duldulao |
Oregon Pacific Islander Coalition |
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Cherity Bloom-Miller |
Siletz Community Health Clinic |
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Christine Sanders |
Rockwood Community Development Corp. |
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Daysi Bedolla Sotelo |
Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste |
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DeLeesa Meashintubby |
Volunteers in Medicine |
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Debra Whitefoot |
Nch’i Wana Housing |
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Derick Du Vivier |
Oregon Health & Science University |
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Dolores Martinez |
Euvalcree |
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George Conway |
Deschutes County Health Services |
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Kalani Raphael |
Oregon Pacific Islander Coalition |
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Kelly Gonzales |
Portland State University |
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Kristin Milligan |
Community Volunteer Network |
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Laurie Skokan |
Providence Health & Services |
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Leslie Sutton |
Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities |
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Maleka Taylor |
The Miracles Club |
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Maria Loredo |
Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center |
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Marin Arreola |
Interface Network |
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Muriel DeLaVergne-Brown |
Crook County Health Department |
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Musse Olol |
Somali American Council of Oregon |
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Nannette Carter-Jafri |
SEIU Local 503 Indigenous People’s Caucus |
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Ruth Gulyas |
LeadingAge Oregon |
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Safina Koreishi |
Columbia Pacific CCO |
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Sandra McDonough |
Oregon Business & Industry |
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Shawn Baird |
Metro West Ambulance Service |
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Sue Steward |
Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board |
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Tsering Sherpa |
The Rosewood Initiative |
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Zhenya Abbruzzese |
Adventist Health |
“The COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee brings tremendous lived and professional experience to guide OHA’s decisions about vaccine sequencing in a way that upholds OHA’s goal to eliminate health inequities by 2030,” said Cara Biddlecom, OHA deputy public health director.
“Members of this committee represent communities that have been unjustly impacted by COVID-19, including tribal communities and communities of color, and OHA is committed to involving community members in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.”
The committee’s first public meeting is Thursday, Jan. 7, from 9 a.m. to noon. The meeting can be accessed via conference line at 669-254-5252; meeting ID: 160 583 9896.
For more information about the committee, visit the Vaccine Advisory Committee information page. Comments or questions can be emailed to covid.vaccineadvisory@dhsoha.state.or.us.
Stay informed about COVID-19:
Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.
United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the US response.
Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.
Legislative hurdles check hazard pay, PSOB benefits
May 22 at 2:20 PM | EMS1 | By AAA Communications Chair Rob Lawrence
In my last EMS One-stop column, I commented on the legislative to-do list to ensure that EMS receives the federal support it deserves right now as we staff the front lines and perhaps brace ourselves for COVID-19 round two as the nation craves a return to the normality and liberty enjoyed before the lockdown.
On May 15, 2020, the much talked about HEROES Act narrowly passed from the U.S. House of Representatives by a 208 to 199 vote to the Republican-controlled Senate. The HEROES Act proposed $3 trillion in tax cuts and spending to address the negative health and financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This included benefits for the public safety community, extensions to enhanced unemployment benefits, debt collection relief, direct cash payments to households and possibly even hazard pay.
EMS1 | Wisconsin fire, EMS leaders unite in plea for funding
Wisconsin EMS and fire leaders join forces to provide an overview of EMS legislative and regulatory requests to support front line response to COVID-19
I recently reported on how the leaders of a few of our national associations united to tell the story of EMS on the front lines and to draw attention to the shortfalls we are all encountering daily from PPE to funding. EMS providers of all denominations are also coming together at a state level to tell their story and appeal for assistance and funding to ensure the continuity of operations. On Apr. 15, 2020, the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin, Wisconsin EMS Association, Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association conducted an online press conference to discuss the mobile healthcare situation in Wisconsin.