AB 161

This bill creates an appropriation to make payments from the ambulance

service provider trust fund to eligible ambulance service providers as specified under

2021 Wisconsin Act 228

. Act 228 implemented an ambulance service provider

assessment on private ambulance service providers for supplemental

reimbursements under the Medical Assistance program and a supplemental

reimbursement under the Medical Assistance program to public ambulance service

providers through certified public expenditures. Currently, the Department of

Health Services administers the Medical Assistance program, which is a joint federal

and state program that provides health services to individuals who have limited

financial resources. Generally, under the Medical Assistance program, the state

provides its share of the funding for benefits and the federal government then

contributes its designated share of funding, also known as federal financial

participation. Act 228 imposes on each private ambulance service provider a fee for

the privilege of doing business in Wisconsin and established an ambulance service

provider trust fund for the fees collected.

The bill also requires DHS to transfer moneys annually from the ambulance

service provider trust fund to cover the administrative costs associated with

administering the ambulance assessment and making supplemental

reimbursements to ambulance providers.