The Texas Ambulance Supplemental Payment Program (TASPP) is part of the Ambulance Services Supplemental Payment Program (ASSPP). ASSPPs are designed to help EMS providers gain reimbursement for care provided to patients who meet certain financial requirements, known as Charity Care or Uncompensated Care. The program can help pay the costs of EMS services delivered to individuals not covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or commercial insurance. These are individuals who reasonably cannot pay EMS bills because they are indigent or below the poverty line.
An EMS provider must meet the required enrollment criteria to receive supplemental payments. ASSPP allows public providers (i.e., governmental entities, emergency services districts, public hospital districts, etc.) funded by taxpayer dollars to participate. TASPP reimbursements are made on a case-by-case basis.
Steps to Apply for Texas Ambulance Supplemental Payment Program Reimbursement
To apply for TASPP reimbursement, the ambulance provider must:
- Have a Charity Care or Financial Assistance Policy valid per the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) guidelines.
- Submit a written application by mail to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) – Rate Analysis Department (HHSC-RAD).
- Complete and submit the annual Ambulance Cost Report before the end of the federal fiscal year (September 30th).
The enrollment request, if acceptable, will be effective the first day of the month after the request is approved. HHSC considers only requests from governmental ambulance providers as defined in RULE §355.8600.
Who can help you?
EMERGICON supports the Texas Ambulance Supplemental Payment Program process, assisting partner EMS agencies by writing off Charity Care balances. Some of the company’s practices include:
- Maintaining information about all runs, both charity care and non-charity care, throughout the year.
- Working with the third-party vendor of your choice and providing all the necessary data for the TASPP application.
- Advocating for your agency with your third-party vendor, like PCG, who will assist you in completing the TASPP application.
Although the exact amount of cost recovery is unknown at the time of application, investing in the TASPP process is a smart way to recover a portion of revenue that otherwise would be lost entirely.
If you have questions about the Texas Ambulance Supplemental Payment Program, contact EMERGICON’s teams through our EMS & Client Hotline: support@emergicon.com | 866-839-3671.