Very comprehensive report this month from the Florida Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate…

Major highlights below.   Full document available at the link below

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Ground EMT Collections: Best Practices

Providers must be more transparent in dispelling the myth of full tax funding and provide consumers with more information about the EMT service costs in their area

Recommendation: Ban Aeromedical Balance Billing

Due to the severity in financial hardship experienced in the air emergency transport landscape, the ICA recommends that steps be taken to deregulate the air ambulance industry from coverage under the federal Aviation Deregulation Act (ADA), giving states the authority to prohibit the practice of balance billing consumers.

Recommendation: Reform Ground EMT Billing Models

Insurance companies and ground EMT service providers should move to a value-based billing model. By shifting to a value-based model for ground transportation, providers can charge for treatment that does not specifically include transportation of the patient. Treatment by a first responder without transport can be an effective means of delivering necessary care to a patient. This would be a reversal of the current fee-for-service model which requires that the patient be transported and prevents EMT services from billing an insurance company for care if no transport is provided.

Stakeholders and members of the EMT Working Group have identified this billing scheme as an antiquated model of reimbursement. The current EMT payment scheme is not reasonably aligned with its self-proclaimed mission to be faster and more efficient first contacts in patient health care. Continuing in a fee-for-service model and subscribing to a comprehensive first responder mission are incompatible, and leave EMT services unable to adequately fund their programs without relying on cost shifting to consumers. The funding system of emergency medical services needs to therefore adapt to realign with the current goals and mission of the industry

Highlights – Florida EMS Transportation Costs Report 2018