EMS LawLines: July 2004

New Medicare Relief Includes "Super-Rural" Bonus . . .

The July 1, 2004 Federal Register (69 FR 40287) contained the long-awaited interim final rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that will increase Medicare payments to ambulance services (according to CMS) by $840 million between July 1, 2004 and December 31, 2009.  The rule implements the ambulance provisions contained in Section 414 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 ("Medicare Modernization Act" or "MMA"), and will benefit all ground-based ambulance services that transport Medicare beneficiaries.  The temporary payment provisions of Section 414 do not apply to air ambulance services, which are also paid under the national ambulance fee schedule.  CLICK HERE to read more.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Reauthorization Act --- Protection for Volunteers?

Legislation to reauthorize the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program (H.R. 4107/S. 2411) is now moving through Congress.  Now is the time to contact your federal representatives and urge them to pass the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Reauthorization Act.  CLICK HERE to read more

Do It Electronically---But Do it Right!

On June 30, 2004, CMS, announced that non-compliant Medicare claims that are filed electronically and do not meet HIPAA standards will be treated as paper claims and paid more slowly than HIPAA-compliant electronic claims.   CLICK HERE to read more

Does Your Board Really Understand Its Role in Compliance? . . .

Educating the Board of Directors of an ambulance service is an essential aspect of a comprehensive compliance program.  Now the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has just issued a new educational resource -- developed jointly with the American Health Lawyers Association to assist boards in carrying out their compliance oversight responsibility.  CLICK HERE to read more

Labor Board Returns to Former Rule That Non-Union Employees Are Not Entitled to Representation during a Disciplinary Interview . . .

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently overruled a decision that extended certain union rights to non-union employees. The Board concluded that an earlier decision was incorrect and that employees who work in non-union workplaces are not entitled to have a coworker or representative accompany them to an interview with their employer---even if the affected employee reasonably believes that the interview might result in discipline.  CLICK HERE to read more

Third Edition of the Ambulance Service Guide to HIPAA Compliance to Cover New Security Rule and Updated Privacy Rule Information . . .

And speaking of compliance, the security regulations for HIPAA are just 10 months away to implementation!

Now that the Privacy Regulations have been in place for a year, its time to start thinking about security of protected health information.  The security regulations are final, and are set for enforcement in April, 2005.

Watch our web site in the coming month to learn more about the new Third Edition of The Ambulance Service Guide to HIPAA Compliance.  This expanded and revised guide will cover not only the essential things you need for compliance with the Security Rule, but also updated material with the latest up-to-the-minute information on the Privacy Rule.

The latest interpretations on how to deal with the tough HIPAA questions, a new chapter called "HIPAA Myth Busters" and new policies and procedures and the latest government interpretations and what they mean for your service or department will all be part of this guide.  And there will be no need to buy a separate guide for the Security Rule. The new Third Edition will be totally comprehensive and cover both the Privacy Rule and the Security Rule all in one easy to use resource.    

Upcoming EMS Events, PWW Seminars and Speaking Engagements . . .

As a regular part of EMS LawLines, we'll keep you up to date on where our attorneys are speaking and the topics they are presenting.  We'll also keep you abreast of presentations conducted by the consultants of our EMS consulting firm, PWW Consulting, Inc.  CLICK HERE for more details about these upcoming events!

July 28, 2004: CALIFORNIA: "Generating Revenue Through Partnerships"

August 2, 2004:  FLORIDA:  "Cash Within Your Grasp," sponsored by Ortivus

August 5-7:  PENNSYLVANIA:  "Pennsylvania's Annual EMS Conference"

August 25, 2004:  WYOMING:  EMS Documentation and Data Collection, Making it All Work

August 27-28, 2004:  WYOMING:  Annual Wyoming EMS Trauma Conference

September 1, 2004:  ARIZONA:  Arizona Ambulance Association Conference.

September 16, 2004:  GEORGIA:  "Cash Within Your Grasp" sponsored by Ortivus

September 18, 2004:  INDIANA:  Indiana Ambulance Association, All Day Ambulance Billing Seminar

September 23, 2004:  PENNSYLVANIA:  "Cash Within Your Grasp" sponsored by Ortivus

Compliance Programs: Do You Have One in Place? . . .

The latest PWW compliance publication, "Better Billing: The Ambulance Service Model Compliance Plan" is now available.  The Guide includes all the information you need to launch your compliance program including customizable fill in the blank forms and our new AmbuCAT&trade ambulance claims analysis tool, a complete system that helps you review your own claims and spot billing issues before they become problems.  For more information or to order:  Call 1-877-EMS-LAW1 or visit www.pwwemslaw.com

©Copyright, 2004, Page, Wolfberg & Wirth, LLC.  Anyone who receives this electronic newsletter is more than welcome and is encouraged to forward it on to others for their free use, as long as the newsletter is kept in its original form and includes this disclaimer.  Any other type of use or reproduction requires our prior consent.  Please keep in mind that neither this message nor the information contained on our web site should be relied on as legal advice.  This newsletter is for educational purposes and to provide you with recent developments in the EMS and medical transportation industry.