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Breaking News- Re-Calculation May Delay Ambulance Fee Schedule Increase Extensions
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) representatives announced during yesterday's Ambulance Open Door Forum nationwide conference call that extended increases in the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule, mandated by the newly-passed Health Care Reform Legislations, could be delayed until mid- to late-May due to mandated re-calculations in the Geographic Practice Cost Index (GPCI).
Even though the groundbreaking Legislation establishes an implementation date for the extensions of April 1, 2010, GPCI re-calculation must be completed before the 2 percent payment increase for trips originating in an urban area, 3 percent payment increase for trips originating in rural areas or the re-instatement of the 21 percent super rural bonus can be applied. Once this process is completed a new Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule will be issued for implementation by the Medicare contractors.
Enhanced participates in important CMS events, such as the Ambulance Open Door Forum, to keep our clients posted on breaking news that affects ambulance billing and reimbursements. We will continue to inform you of events that will affect our clients as they unfold.
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How Will the Health Care Reform Law Affect Billing for Ambulance Services?
As you know, President Obama signed brand new Health Care Reform Legislation into law. Already health care providers, including ambulance services and EMS administrators, across the nation are beginning to ask questions about what these sweeping changes will mean for them, specifically. These answers will come over time, however, our friends at Page, Wolfberg and Wirth have put together a short statement pointing to the immediate items that will potentially have a direct impact on the ambulance industry for both the short and long terms.
As you read over the information, we are sure that you'll begin to think about those areas of concern that may affect your service. This and other information that is sure to come along will help you to prepare for the changes that will surely affect the health care industry in the days ahead.
Enhanced Management Services will continue to stay tuned to upcoming events and we will share valuable pieces of information with you regarding this topic as they become available. This is just another way that Enhanced keeps our clients "in the know" regarding issues that shape our industry's future as they pertain to the EMS billing and reimbursement landscape.
Read More at Page, Wolfberg & Wirth
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Our Maryland office is on the move...
Our Bel Air office is moving to a new location! We are now located at...
260 Gateway Drive
Suite 13B
Bel Air, MD 21014
Our new office is easier to find, easier to access, has more parking spots and has a fresh coat of paint, too!
But don't worry!
The same friendly people you've come to rely on for your daily ambulance billing needs will be on hand to serve you in our new home. That's a given!
Overwhelming support from you, our clients, has made this move possible and we thank you for your trust. This move is happening because many of you have told your neighbors about our services. Your referrals have propelled us into becoming one of the leading ambulance billing services in Maryland.
Now, please bear with us in case we run into any moving "glitches". We're fully expecting a clean transition but somehow we also know that there may be a few unexpected "bugs" to work through once we arrive in our new home; like phones that have a mind of their own and computers that may not like the new wiring....you know, stuff like that.
We'll do our best to keep the interruptions to a minimum, but thanks for your understanding just in case.
Stop by soon to say "Hello." We like visitors and we're anxious to show off our new pad!
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PA Governor Signs New EMS Bill
From: Office Of The Governor
GOVERNOR RENDELL SIGNS NEW EMS LAW
HARRISBURG – Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed into law SB240, a measure to update and enhance Pennsylvania's existing Emergency Medical Services Act. The law was first enacted in 1985.
"Pennsylvania's EMS system responds to a dispatch every 18 seconds, so it is essential that the system work efficiently and effectively. On top of that, the number of certified providers, operating ambulances, and patients seen has increased on a yearly basis over the past decade," said Governor Rendell. "State government is committed to addressing the challenges that our dedicated EMS practitioners and first responders face every day, because doing so improves public safety."
The EMS system consists of first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, nurses, and physicians. These professionals staff the nearly 3,500 air and ground ambulances, hospitals, medical command centers, EMS education institutes, poison centers, certified trauma centers, injury prevention and public education programs, and all important components of the entire EMS system, which remains well connected through a complex communication system and the 911 centers.
The act is designed to achieve a higher quality, more adaptive, and better coordinated EMS system in Pennsylvania. The new law requires all EMS agencies to have a medical director. The law also will require ambulance drivers and attendants to be certified and regulated by the Department of Health, further enhancing public safety.
Recent improvements to the EMS system include new, high-tech education opportunities, the implementation of statewide treatment protocols and improved abilities to support emergency response to all hazard threats.
To help develop the legislation, the Department of Health consulted with a number of private sector organizations and sister agencies. It also conducted more than 50 town hall meetings to solicit public input. For more information, visit www.health.state.pa.us.
Language of SB240
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New On-Demand Reporting System
Get instant access to your billing records via a simple web interface from Enhanced Management Services. Enhanced has created an online reporting system that allows you to generate your own billing reports when you need them.
You only need an internet connection to free yourself from the paper-based reports.
For more information about how you can get reports on-demand, contact your Enhanced team leader by phone, email or by filling out this form.
Register for the Reporting System
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Enhanced Billing Staff Becomes Certified Ambulance Coders
Enhanced Management Services, Inc. is the first ambulance billing service in the nation to certify 100% of its billing staff in Certified Ambulance Coder (CAC)™ program. The CAC certification demonstrates our continued commitment to compliance, collection, and efficiency.
The CAC is a nationally recognized certification from the National Academy of Ambulance Coding (NAAC). To earn the certification, billing staff must complete a 30 hour training program and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the ambulance billing process. The CAC coursework addresses the training needs of front-line ambulance billing personnel, which includes coding practices, HIPAA compliance, patient care reports, payor issues, and follow-up processes.
The CAC certification means our entire billing staff is up-to-date with current industry rules and regulations. We'll ensure our staff remains current through annual recertification.
Contact us for more information about how the CAC certification can help your ambulance company.
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New Ambulance Billing Service blog is here to serve you!
Enhanced Management Services, Inc. is pleased to announce the Ambulance Billing Services blog at www.ambulancebillingservices.com. We created the blog as a way to share tips that will help you streamline your billing services and collect more money. We’ll also talk about industry news and trends as it relates to the administrative billing services for ambulance companies.
What’s Happening at the Ambulance Billing Services Blog
Red Flag Rule Information posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2009.
Since sending out the email about how to comply with the Federal Trade Commission’s “Red Flag Rules,” several questions have arisen. We wanted to take a moment and offer three simple facts about the “Red Flag Rules” for ambulance services.
Click here to learn the 3 simple facts about the Red Flag rules.
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Be Ready for the "Red Flag Rules"
Ambulance services need to take immediate steps to familiarize themselves with the Red Flag Rules and implement an Identity Theft Prevention Program. The FTC recently announced that it will begin enforcing the “Red Flag Rules” on May 1, 2009.
The new regulations require most ambulance services to implement and administer a written Identity Theft Prevention Program before the enforcement deadline. This process will involve determining identity theft risks - "red flags" - for your organization and then establishing a written program to detect and respond to potential "red flags." Additionally, the rules require ambulance services to conduct ongoing program oversight and employee training.
These complex regulations contain a number of requirements for ambulance services in order to achieve compliance. To help you comply with the FTC’s red flag requirements, Enhanced Management Services is offering you The Red Flag Rules Survival Kit for Ambulance Services and Red Flag Rules Webinar at discounted rates.
Download Details about the Survival Kit
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New Medicare Signature Requirements!!
Signature requirements will change AGAIN on January 1, 2009. All Enhanced Clients have been provided the required information and forms prior to January 1st.
View details of these changes and download free sample Patient Signature Forms on the Page, Wolfberg & Wirth website at
www.pwwemslaw.com
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