Ambulance Education
Charity Care and Indigent Care are initiatives designed to help low-income Texas residents access healthcare services. In both programs, the beneficiaries must not qualify for other state or federal healthcare programs. These initiatives pertain to healthcare services provided to patients that aren’t expected to result in cash inflows. Under these programs, providers can be partially […]
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As with most aspects of the EMS industry, Medicare sets the standards for what constitutes medical necessity for ambulance transport. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), medical necessity occurs when a patient has a medical condition for which other means of transportation are contraindicated. For ground ambulance services, Medicare assesses the medical necessity of emergency and non-emergency […]
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Like BLS, ALS, and SCT, Emergency and Non-Emergency Transportation are categories of the Levels of Service provided by ambulances. The main difference between them is the need for immediate treatment, which determines the required equipment and personnel. According to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), most ground ambulance providers in Texas furnish both types of transportation. Emergency Ambulance Services – […]
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Like BLS and ALS, Specialty Care Transport (SCT) is a category of the Levels of Service provided by ground ambulances. SCT-level transports are typically the interfacility transportation of a critically injured or ill patient. When is SCT needed? The most common reason a patient needs SCT is for transportation from one hospital to another medical facility. […]
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ALS Vs BLS – Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) are categories of the Levels of Service provided by ground ambulances. ALS Vs BLS communicate the medical necessity for ambulance services when an EMS agency responds to a 911 call. The Level of Service determines the reimbursement rate EMS agencies receive for […]
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Updated December 20, 2023 Single final submission deadline: February 2, 2024 What is happening: The TDI recently finalized the rules that implement Texas Senate Bill 2476. These rules replace the proposed quarterly fee schedule reporting/submission timeline with a single, final reporting/submission due date of February 2, 2024. What you need to do: If you have […]
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In 2014, the National EMS Advisory Council (NEMSAC) recommended an update to the landmark EMS Agenda for the Future. The 1996 document guided the development of valuable EMS systems such as Mobile Integrated Healthcare and Community Health Paramedicine. Throughout 2017 and 2018, the EMS community and society members shared ideas, which resulted in the EMS Agenda 2050 (Download the PDF Version). Published […]
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As the healthcare system turns to a more value-based care focus, EMS leaders strive to adjust to this trend. Aligned with the EMS Agenda For The Future, a growing strategy in the industry has been Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH): a patient-centered approach that offers care through mobile resources in out-of-hospital environments. Community Paramedicine is a popular MIH […]
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In this age of increased focus on data security, it can be scary to share personal or private information. If you find yourself in the position of a patient, it’s relevant to know what information is most helpful to those providing care and how it’s used across all groups involved. That’s what we will discuss […]
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According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), there are some criteria that an EMS Patient Care Report (PCR) must observe to be compliant for EMS claim reimbursement. Although there are multiple reasons to be thorough while completing a PCR, the primary motivation is to provide an accurate, truthful, and complete record of the patient’s […]
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