The campaign encourages EMS professionals to contact Congress in support of extending Medicare add-on payments for ambulance services, which are set to expire on December 31, 2024. The House and Senate bills (H.R. 1666 and S. 1673) seek to extend these payments and, in the Senate version, propose increased payment rates. The extension is crucial to prevent financial strain on EMS agencies, ensuring continued access to ambulance services. For more details and to take action, visit the campaign page.

TAKE ACTION HERE: American Ambulance Association | Ask Congress to Extend the Ambulance Medicare Add-Ons!

EMS1 on the Recently Introduced Medicare No-Transport EMS Reimbursement Bill

The EMS1 article discusses the introduction of the Medicare No-Transport EMS Reimbursement Bill in December 2024. This legislation, introduced by Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), aims to allow Medicare to reimburse EMS services even when patients are not transported to a hospital. 

Currently, EMS providers may face financial challenges when they treat patients on-site without transporting them, as Medicare does not reimburse for non-transport care. This bill seeks to address this issue by ensuring that EMS agencies can receive reimbursement for treating patients at the scene, a critical measure to support EMS agencies, especially in rural areas.

The bill is seen as a step toward improving EMS reimbursement policies, offering financial stability to providers and encouraging the growth of alternative care models, which can reduce unnecessary hospital visits and alleviate strain on emergency departments.

UPDATE: OSHA Emergency Response Rulemaking

OSHA provided an update on the Emergency Response Rulemaking Process on December 6, 2024. Per the update, the public hearing transcripts are in the process of being finalized and will be uploaded to Regulations.gov in the upcoming weeks. The docket remains open for submissions of post-hearing comments at Regulations.gov; comments are encouraged and welcomed by OSHA. 

Recap on the rule: 

The proposed rule by OSHA released this year with the intention of being finalized in 2025 is part of an effort to update the Emergency Response Standard and aims to improve safety protections for emergency responders, including EMS personnel, firefighters, and search and rescue teams. This rule would revise the existing Fire Brigades Standard (29 C.F.R. 1910.156) to extend its coverage to additional groups of emergency responders, such as those in EMS and technical rescue roles.

More information on this proposed rule: Emergency Response Rulemaking | OSHA.gov | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

VA Delays Rule Change to 2029

On December 9, 2024, the Department of Veterans Affairs delayed a rule change that would have impacted the reimbursement of ambulance services to 2029: particularly air ambulance providers. The rule would have reduced reimbursements for specialty transportation services to lower Medicare rates opposed to reimbursing providers at the existing rates for veterans which are more reflective of the costs incurred by EMS providers. This delay allows veterans to continue accessing necessary emergency transportation services without disruption.

Read more here: 24-1104.OPINION.12-9-2024_2432337.pdf

EMS_FINAL_RULE_07242020r.pdf

On October 28, 2024, updates were made to Arkansas’s Rules for Emergency Medical Services under the authority of Act 435 of 1975. Key changes include those related to EMS operations, licensing, and mutual aid. Here are some of the highlights:

• Licensing Requirements

• Ambulance services must ensure all fees and documentation are submitted to Arkansas DOH prior to licenses being issued or renewed. Licenses are contingent on meeting operational standards, personnel requirements, and equipment requirements.

• Patient Transport

• Patients with life-threatening conditions may request transport to facilities beyond the nearest medical center for specialized care.

• Communications

• Changes in efforts to enhance mutual aid responses during mass casualty incidents, including mandatory reporting procedures, radio frequencies, and coordination with the ECC and local responders have been made.

• Documentation & Reporting

• Ambulance services are required to notify receiving facilities in advance and provide patient encounter forms within 24 hours of patient transfer.

• Specialized Care & Air Ambulance Services

• Standards for air ambulance services have been clarified noting personnel and equipment requirements along with medical oversight for non-specialty care air transport.

The recent November 2024 meeting of the National EMS Advisory Council (NEMSAC) held November 6-7 in Washington, D.C. highlighted updates and discussions on critical topics in EMS. The meeting provided insights into broader EMS trends, such as pandemic response, workforce challenges, and evolving patient care models. Key topics included:

• Adaptability in EMS practices
• Equitable patient care 
• Integration of Advanced Technology
• Behavioral health in EMS
• Federal initiatives such as those from the NHTSA
• Emerging challenges 

Subcommittee Report Summaries

OSHA Emergency Response Rulemaking

The proposed rule by OSHA released this year with the intention of being finalized in 2025 is part of an effort to update the Emergency Response Standard and aims to improve safety protections for emergency responders, including EMS personnel, firefighters, and search and rescue teams. This rule would revise the existing Fire Brigades Standard (29 C.F.R. 1910.156) to extend its coverage to additional groups of emergency responders, such as those in EMS and technical rescue roles.

Highlights of the proposed rule include:

• Expanded Coverage to include EMS, search, and rescue functions
• Alignment with current safety and operations standards such as those in the National Fire Protection Association
• Enhanced health and safety measures against wildfire and hazardous material exposures
•  Volunteer fire department exemptions and extension of implementation timelines

OSHA Proposed Rule Insights

"How will Trump’s campaign promises impact EMS funding, call volume and service quality?"

On November 6, Greg Friese, MS, NRP, penned an article for EMS1 specific to Trump policies potential impact on EMS. Friese writes, "Based on Trump’s previous term and the campaign trail promises from Trump and his surrogates, it is worth considering what a second Trump presidency means for EMS. The centerpieces of Trump’s campaign were tariffs, immigration, taxes and crime, issues that touch every aspect of daily life, in and out of the workplace." 

Full Article Here

2025 Session Important Dates.pdf

Click the link above to learn more.

Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service paramedics in Rochester, Minnesota responded to a patient experiencing a heart attack only to discover their former teacher in need.

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