EMS News Briefs from Mike McEvoy

EMS Coordinator Mike McEvoy, Ph.D., NRP, RN, CCRN
NYSAFC EMS Committee

DOH Increases Training Monies

Two new Policy Statements, #23-08 and 23-09, have both raised the reimbursement rates for EMT training for the first time since 2000, and implemented new funding streams for academy style EMT programs, internship programs, and bridge to paramedic programs. These should significantly improve recruitment and retention at the local levels.

Medicaid Funding Increase

Remarkably, one item that made it through the political wrangling in Albany was a major ($36 million +) increase in Medicaid funding for ambulance transports. A mechanism similar to that used by Medicare was put in place, setting a Relative Value Unit (RVU) for any non-emergency EMS transport of $195. A RVU multiplier is then applied as follows for higher levels of care:

• BLS Emergency: 1.28
• ALS 1: 1.52
• ALS 2: 2.2
• SCT: 2.6

NYS OHIP (Office of Health Insurance Programs) advises that this system and the rates are permanent, subject to future increases in the base rate. There are some counties where the base rate or RVU calculated rate is currently higher; they will not see reductions in their current reimbursements.