Reimbursement of emergency services under the Medical Assistance program when a patient is not transported, reporting on changes to the scope of practice of emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program. (FE)

What it does

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

Medical Assistance reimbursement for nontransport ambulance services Under current law, the Department of Health Services uses a standardized coding system, which is known as the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) and produced by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to describe certain products, supplies, and services for those submitting claims for reimbursement under the Medical Assistance program. The Medical Assistance program is a joint state and federal program that provides health services to individuals who have limited financial resources. This bill directs DHS to change, for dates of service beginning with January 1, 2027, the current maximum reimbursement allowed under the Medical Assistance program for services provided under HCPCS code A0998, often referenced as “ambulance response and treatment, no transport,” from the current maximum allowable fee to a rate that matches the maximum allowable rate for reimbursement of services provided under HCPCS code A0429, often referenced with a description of “ambulance service, basic life support, emergency transport (bls-emergency).” Report on scope of practice changes The bill requires the Emergency Medical Services Board, in consultation with DHS and the Technical College System Board, to annually submit a report to the legislature on state and national changes to the scope of practice of emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, or any equivalent practitioners in other jurisdictions and how those scope of practice changes may affect training for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners in this state.

Expenditure restraint incentive program The bill also excludes expenditures of amounts levied for fees apportioned to each municipality operating a joint fire department or joint emergency medical services district that are exempt from local levy limits from being considered in determining eligibility for an expenditure restraint incentive program payment. Under current law, a municipality is eligible to receive an expenditure restraint incentive program payment if its property tax levy is greater than 5 mills and if the annual increase in its municipal budget, subject to certain exceptions, is less than the sum of factors based on inflation and the increased value of property in the municipality as a result of new construction.

Who's behind it

5 senators are its authors⁠. 3 are Republicans and 2 are Democrats.

33 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From DHS
• Fiscal Estimate From DOR
• Fiscal Estimate From WTCS

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

• Amendment Histories
• LC Amendment Memo