Skip to main content

Savvik | Summer Deals

View our Contracts!
You Asked. We Listened.
Bulk Buys are here! The 5.11 Stryke and Taclite EMS Pants are discounted nearly 40% off retail until July 14th!

Built from the ground up by 5.11 exclusively for First Responders, both the Stryke and the Taclite series offer serious performance and style, as well as a protective Teflon coating and ripstop material so they can handle even the toughest shift.

Grab yours today!

Shop Now!
Learn More

OIG Announces Modernization of Compliance Program Guidance Documents

By Brian S. Werfel, Esq.

On April 25, 2023, the HHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) posted a notice in the Federal Register that it would be updating its publicly available resources, including its compliance program guidance documents.  The OIG’s Compliance Program Guidances (CPGs) were developed as voluntary, non-binding guidance documents that can assist healthcare providers in developing their own internal controls to ensure adherence to federal laws, regulations, and program requirements.

Specifically, the OIG announced that it will no longer publish updated or new CPGs in the Federal Register.  Instead, updates or new CPGs will now be made available on the OIG’s website.  The OIG will also revise the format for CGS.  The new format will consist of: (1) a General CPG (GCPG) that applies to all healthcare providers and (2) industry-specific CPGs (ICPGs) tailored to the fraud and abuse areas specific to that industry.  The OIG indicated that it anticipates issuing the GCPG by the end of calendar year 2023, with ICPGs being issued starting in calendar year 2024.  The OIG further indicated that it anticipates the first two ICPGs will address Medicare Advantage plans and nursing facilities.

Note: the OIG is not updating its 2003 guidance on compliance programs for ambulance suppliers.  The OIG frequently cites this document in enforcement actions it takes against ambulance providers and suppliers.  Thus, this guidance document remains relevant to this day.  For that reason, A.A.A. members are strongly encouraged to review this document to ensure that their existing compliance program incorporates the elements cited by the OIG.

Previous Compliance Program Guidance for Ambulance Suppliers

In March 2003, the OIG issued its “Compliance Program Guidance for Ambulance Suppliers.”  This document sets forth the basic elements that it believes should be included in any effective compliance program, and then discusses various fraud and abuse and compliance risks associated with the provision of ambulance services under the Medicare Program.

The 7 basic elements identified by the OIG are:

  1. The development of compliance policies and procedures
  2. The designation of a compliance officer or compliance committee
  3. The implementation of education and training programs
  4. The use of internal monitoring and reviews
  5. Policies designed to respond appropriately to detected misconduct
  6. Ensuring open lines of communication
  7. The enforcement of disciplinary standards through well-publicized guidelines

The CPG then goes into greater detail on each of these elements, including specific recommendations on how to properly implement each of these elements.  For instance, the OIG suggests that the organization’s compliance office be a high-level individual who reports directly to the organization’s CEO or Board of Directors.

With respect to the specific fraud and abuse risks associated with ambulance, the OIG highlighted the issue of medical necessity.  The OIG also cited level of service issues (i.e., billing ALS vs. BLS), non-emergency transports, and coordination of benefit issues as particular areas of concern.

 

AAA Provides Comments to the Senate HELP Committee Related to Workforce Shortage

The American Ambulance Association has submitted comments to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) in response to their request for input on crafting legislation to address the health care workforce shortage.

Ground ambulance service organizations are facing a severe shortage of paramedics and EMTs which is placing a significant strain on an emergency medical system already in financial distress. We greatly appreciate the opportunity to provide our legislative solutions to the committee to help address the ongoing workforce crisis.

Please see the document linked below, which was sent to the HELP Committee Chairman, Senator Bernie Sanders, and the Ranking Member, Senator Bill Cassidy.

3-17-2023 HELP Workforce Comments

 

Savvik |Ford Vehicles – 3 Day Order Window

The Ford order bank for Super Duty (F250-F600) will open for government orders on 11/7/2022 and will close on 11/10/2022.
This will be the only opportunity to order Super Duty for the entire 2023 model year using a Government Price Concession.
Our vendor understands that it will be challenging for some government customers to project there needs for the entire year, but unfortunately these are the parameters that Ford has set out for them.
Members that are interested in making a purchase during this window will have 30 days to send a purchase order after placing the order. If no PO is received then Ford will automatically cancel the order.
If the Savvik member happens to have a non-government Fleet Id Number (FIN), they can begin ordering 10/20/2022 and will have the ability to order up to 5 units per quarter.

Save on MME! Savvik Vendor Spotlight

Who is MME?

 

Master Medical Equipment specializes in sales and service of defibrillators, ventilators, infusion pumps and accessories for EMS and fire. They have the vision to be the industry leader in recertified medical equipment; to earn their customers through quality, value, service, and respect. 

The Industry’s Best:
That’s the MME Promise.
The MME Promise ensures you get quality medical devices with the guarantee of lower prices and fewer headaches. It means you don’t have to sacrifice your entire budget to secure quality equipment. It means you don’t need to worry about the reliability and functionality of their products. It means you can bypass the hustle and cost from other companies and what it ultimately means is a better experience, which leads to a happier you.

MME thoroughly tests each unit to ensure it meets the MME Five-Point Inspection Guarantee, passes all manufacturer guidelines, and satisfies FDA safety certifications before they ship to you. This is the MME Seal of Approval, and all equipment is backed by the MME name and reputation.

Having been in the business for over 15 years, MME has a reputation for excellent, professional medical equipment at an affordable price. MME staffs only the brightest military-trained and certified biomedical technicians to restore premium equipment to like-new condition and offer that equipment WORLDWIDE for almost half the price.

Savvik Savings

There are 11 FREE seats left for Savvik Members to attend the Lifeguard: Train-the-Trainer Workshop.

Register soon; they’re going fast!

 

In times of crisis, three priorities become paramount: protection, connection, and collaboration. Generark wants to be your source of security in unnerving situations by providing a reliable source of power that will enable you to stay protected and running and allow you to stay connected.

You have enough to worry about in an emergency, but now with Generark you can cross some of those worries off your list!

Reliable, durable, and portable, always have your “ark” with Savvik’s newest vendor, Generark.

Now available in the Savvik Store.

Airgas Healthcare is the leading supplier of the most comprehensive range of gases, gas supply modes, gas delivery systems, and related products and services in the U.S. Their mission is to support our healthcare customers in their mission to improve lives.

Savvik Members can save on Airgas by using our contract!

Savvik Members SAVE on medical supplies through our publicly bid contract with Henry Schein.

Resuscitator Bag Valve Mask

$11.54  $8.89

Disinfectant Surface Wipe Super Sani-Cloth Large Canister 160/Pk

$7.59  $4.38

Smart CapnoLine® etCO2 Sampling Lines

$9.88  $5.80

Electrode Electrocardio BlueSensor 38mm 10/Pk,

$5.29  $2.68

About us
Savvik is a non-profit formed to reduce financial impact within the Public Safety industry. Our mission is to provide members with a mechanism to achieve cost reductions – valuing quality supplies and equipment for members at the industry’s best prices.

Savvik has updated our internal marketing systems. This update may cause an error with our unsubscribe feature.

If you are hearing from us for the first time in a while, it’s because you are a saved account in our system. To update your preferences, you can unsubscribe below.

Stay In Touch!

By signing up, you agree to the AAA Privacy Policy & Terms of Use