The legislative session closed on April 25, 2024. Going into this session it was well known that this was going to be a very tight budget year due to projected revenue shortages.

TennCare Reimbursement: Unfortunately although we received unanimous support in committees for our request to increase TennCare reimbursement rates, the funding for these increases were not included in the final State budget. SB2340 / HB1998

Ground Ambulance Assessment: The Ground Ambulance Assessment Program was renewed for SFY25 with no significant changes. (Non-emergent only SB2330 / HB2022) (Rural emergent & Non-emergent SB2168 / HB2490

EMS Grants: $2 million additional funds provided to the current EMS Grants fund being administered by the Office of EMS. SB2942 / HB2973

• Item 16. In addition to any other funds appropriated by the provisions of this act, there is appropriated the sum of $2,000,000 (nonrecurring) to the Department of Health, for the sole purpose of making grants on a competitive basis to emergency medical services organizations across the state, to be used for equipment. Any unexpended funds shall not revert to the general fund balance at June 30 and shall be carried forward in a reserve at June 30 and are hereby reappropriated in the subsequent fiscal year.

An email was sent last week to each ground ambulance provider that had qualifying transports for the assessment (invoice) portion of the program. It is anticipated that invoices will be sent out this week or next. Additionally we anticipate that MCO directed payments will be sent to providers by the 2nd week of June. These payment reports will be emailed and mailed once received from TennCare.

Assessment (invoice) calculation:

• total number of “emergency” responses that resulted in a transport (Oct 1 – Dec 31, 2023)
• multiply by $20.00
• payment must be received by the invoice due date to avoid penalties ($50 per day)

MCO Directed Payment calculation:

• total number of PAID TennCare claims (Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2024)
• only claims with HCPCS codes – A0225, A0427, A0429, A0433, A0434
• multiply by $229.50
• paid to provider though same means as regular claims remittance payments (i.e. check, ACH)

Reminder: The Cost & Utilization Report is due to be uploaded to the Myers & Stauffer StatLog Web Portal no later than May 31, 2024. All ground ambulance providers are required to submit.

Pursuant to TCA 71-5-1507(c), cost and utilization reports must be filed with the bureau no later than May 31, 2024. Failure to submit the report(s) by the due date will result in a $100 per day penalty until the report is submitted. If you require further information or have additional questions on how to utilize the provider portal, please contact Myers and Stauffer at (800) 374-6858, or via email at tnemt@mslc.com.

• Web Portal Registration Form
• EMS Cost & Utilization Report Template
• Myers & Stauffer Web Portal FAQ’s
• TN EMS Cost & Utilization Report – Recorded Training from March 27, 2024
• TN EMS StatLog Web Portal – Recorded Training from March 20, 2024

Download the Emergency Rule for the Training Stipend

From the Office of EMS
The Emergency Rules are now posted on the Department of State Web page and are in effect.  The final rules will be finished and published later.  These are the rules we will follow until the final rules take effect.  I do not have the submission information from Finance and Administration Office currently, but we are awaiting guidance from them to understand what they want.  I will attach the rules, as posted online, and you can send them out to the services.  We will work as a team to ensure that we give the same information.  A few highlights are listed below.

• Must be a licensed ambulance service.
• Must be a Full-Time employee (minimum of 20 hours of service per week).
• Section 3 has an outline of what needs to be on the class completion document.
• Everyone should read and understand Section 7 Disciplinary Action and Prosecution of False Claims.  This is going to be audited heavily as we must ensure compliance and accuracy. 
• The individual and the Service both have responsibilities and accountability with this submittal.

Thank you for your assistance and patience as we work thought the growing pains.

Aaron Kinser | EMS Consultant At-Large / Investigator

Division of Health Licensure and Regulation

Office of Emergency Medical Services

Currently the Grant is still in the approval process. When it is approved an email will be sent to everyone which will include an application that you need to completed and send back. The email address to return your application will be identified in this initial email. 

The returned applications will be organized by date and time received. Those that reply timely will receive funding until the monies are expended, at which time, no other applications will be accepted.

At that point, based on the information provided on the submitted application, a contract will be initiated with your entity that will serve as authorization for reimbursement. The contract will have to go through an approval process as well.

This can be a somewhat lengthy process so patience is much appreciated.