Welcome letter from PAAW President Patrick Ryan
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January 4, 2012
CMS Posts January-February 2012 Medicare Ambulance Transportation Rates
The Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS) has posted the Public Use File (PUF) for rates under the Medicare ambulance fee schedule for dates of service beginning January 1, 2012 and ending February 29, 2012. The PUF contains rates for only January and February to be consistent with the two-month extension of Medicare ambulance relief included in the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011.
On December 23 of last year, the President signed the payroll tax cut extension package into law which also extended the 2% urban, 3% rural and super rural payment increases until February 29, 2012. The American Ambulance Association is pushing to extend the Medicare ambulance relief provisions until at least the end of this year. Based on the outcome of those efforts, CMS will then post a new PUF for the rates of service beginning March 1.
To access a copy of the PUF containing the Medicare ambulance fee schedule rates for the first two months of 2012, please click here.
January 3, 2012
PAAW Website a Source of Information in 2011
Based on information from Google, the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin's website, www.PAAW.us, was used often by members, visitors and those interested in EMS in Wisconsin. While individual user information is unknown, a simple tally count revealed there were 6,367 visitors and 22,678 page views. Here's a summary, to also include the top web pages and their respective link on the site.
www.PAAW.us Website Activity January 1 to December 31, 2011:
Visitors - 6,367
Absolute Unique Visitors (counted once in reporting period) - 3,791
Page Views - 22,678
Top Web Pages:
PAAW Home Page
EMS to the Point Wedcast
Who's a PAAW Member
2011 Stars of Life Honorees
Live U.S. Scanner Feeds: Police, Fire, EMS
2010 Stars of Life Honorees
Stars of Life Awards and Recognition Program
Board of Director Meetings
December 29, 2011
2011 National EMS Assessment Report Released
The Federal Interagency Committee for Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS) has released the 2011 National EMS Assessment. Sponsored by FICEMS and funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the report provides the first ever comprehensive description of emergency medical services, EMS emergency preparedness and 911 systems at state and national levels using existing data sources.
The National EMS Assessment, which was completed over a 24-month period from September 2009 to August 2011, provides a detailed description of the nation’s EMS systems which comprise an estimated 19,971 local EMS agencies, their 81,295 vehicles and 826,111 licensed and credentialed personnel.
The landmark document is a powerful resource and the first national assessment of Emergency Medical Services that provides comprehensive data aggregated at both the state and national levels. These data will allow the officials responsible for improving EMS systems to benchmark current and future performance and identify areas of strength and weakness.
To download the complete report, click here. (large PDF file)
December 21, 2011
Section Issues Draft of State's Two-Year EMS Plan
Wisconsin EMS Section Chief Brian Litza today released a draft of the state’s EMS Plan for 2012 to 2014. Under state Statute 256.08, the Department of Health Services is to complete a state EMS plan every two years. The purpose is to lay out the strategic initiatives for the next two years and be used as a road map for the direction of the EMS system in Wisconsin. To download the plan, click here.
December 10, 2011
NAEMT Develops Military Support Materials for EMS Personnel
The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) established a Military Relations Committee to identify ways to support military medics and EMS practitioners serving as active duty or reservists within a branch of the U.S. Armed services, or who are veterans. One of the goals of the committee is to help medics and EMS practitioners transition back to civilian service at the end of their deployment. Each of the members of the committee currently serves in one of the branches of our nation’s Armed Services.
One of the challenges faced by EMS practitioners when they are deployed is preparing themselves, their families, and their employers for their deployment. In response to this challenge, the committee developed resources to help guide EMS practitioners through the deployment process, and help EMS managers support their employees through their deployment and after their return to civilian life.
Here is a link to these two resources:
Tips for EMS Practitioners Deploying for Combat
Employers Guide: Support Your EMS Practitioner Deploying for Combat
December 1, 2011
Webcast: Increasing the Odds of Getting Paid for Ambulance Patient Transports
To the ambulance administrator or person who does patient billing, the aging report is a key measure to cash flow management in running a healthy ambulance service business. Given tougher than usual economic times, ambulance companies are experiencing an increase in private pay and other circumstances with patient transport bills not getting paid, and for many, the non collection percentage continues to go up. There is a solution: Transworld Systems, Inc. - a billing and collections company.
Recently signed by PAAW as the newest member benefit in group purchasing, Transworld Systems takes the nightmare out of past due collections. For flat fee of $10 per patient account, they manage a series of contacts with better than above average results. Bottom line: It might be better to contact them for $10 before reporting to your board or supervisor the need for approval to write off that $500 or $1,200 patient transport bill.
Our newest "EMS to the Point" podcast introduces you to Transworld Systems and Senior Consultant Ryan Reid.
For more on Transworld's new offer for PAAW members, click here.
November 29, 2011
Individual EMT License Renewal Application Now Available for 2012
The Wisconsin EMS Office Has released the 2012 - 2014 Wisconsin EMS Provider License Renewal application thru the E-Licensing system. The renewal application is available to all currently licensed Wisconsin EMS providers. Only those with a license or certificate expiration of June 30, 2012 are eligible to renew. Those who don't renew by then may not function as an EMS provider. For more information, refer to Memo 11-15 and 11-16.
November 15, 2011
EMS Office Issues Memo about Individual Bi-Annual License Renewals
The Wisconsin EMS Office has released the 2012 – 2014 WI EMS Individual Provider License Renewal application thru the E-Licensing system. The renewal application is available to all currently licensed WI EMS Providers. Only those with a license or certificate expiration date of June 30, 2012 are eligible to renew. To review the Memo issued by the Office, click here.
As a reminder, keep the following in mind to complete 2012 – 2014 WI EMS Provider License Renewals;
- Initial or refresher EMS training completed between 7/1/2010 and 06/30/2012.
- Those renewing an Intermediate or Paramedic license, a current ACLS card.
Those with a felony or a misdemeanor conviction since February 2008, or have pending charges at this time or received a traffic violation that has led to suspension, revocation or withdrawal of a driver’s license, all required court documentation is required for processing of the application. The required form can be downloaded from the E-Licensing system
For additional information, click the below links:
http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ems/License_certification/elicensing/2011renewal.htm
2012-2014 WI EMS Provider License Renewal Instructions (PDF, 2.4 MB)
November 2, 2011
Wisconsin's New Concealed Carry Weapons Law - Podcast, "EMS to the Point", Discusses the Topic for EMS
On November 1, 2011, Wisconsin became the 49th state to allow individuals to legally register and carry a concealed weapon or firearm. State officials estimate 100,000 permits will be issued in the first twelve months.
Under Wisconsin's law, people who obtain a permit and go through training will be allowed to carry a concealed weapon in most public buildings, unless a sign is posted saying they are not permitted.
Given this change, and potential risk for ambulance service workers, what does EMS do when discovery of a pistol or firearm is made when completing a routine patient exam, call to a home residence or along side the highway at a vehicle crash?
These questions and others are discussed with Sgt. Kevin Bygd with the Dunn County Sheriff's Office in our most recent podcast, "EMS to the Point".
Click here to listen now!
EMS personnel should seek training that is coordinated and presented by their local law enforcement office, as well as consider updating policy and procedures. Additional considerations include placing a pistol gun cabinet in one of the outside ambulance compartments or at the very least make available a gun trigger safety lock.
PAAW, with assistance from the City of Kenosha Fire Department, has published a recommended guideline for discovery of a concealed firearm or weapon. Although brief, it is a document that can easily be incorporated into existing EMS department protocols, policies or procedures, or at the very least get departments thinking and planning in advance of personnel making a weapons discovery during a call or incident.
To review the recommended guideline issued by PAAW, click here.
October 20, 2011
Stars of Life Honorees Recognized at State Capitol
Photo by Jack Hill
Nominated by their respective ambulance service employers as the best of the best, twenty Stars of Life from the class of 2010 and 2011 were honored at the State Capitol in Madison on October 18. A Joint Resolution was voted on in their presence in both the Senate and Assembly acknowledging their EMS professionalism, which was accompanied by a standing ovation from elected leaders in both house chambers. The daylong event was proudly produced by the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin.
The group was welcomed in the Capitol Rotunda by Department of Health Services Deputy Secretary Kitty Rhoades, a longtime advocate of EMS, Joint Resolution co-sponsors, Senator Sheila Harsdorf and Representative Dean Kaufert, himself a newly licensed EMT, as well as State EMS Office ALS Program Coordinator Fred Hornby. The Stars then moved to the Senate chambers, followed by the Assembly, for reading of the Resolution and high honors of congratulations extended by the State.
Stars also met individually with their local legislators to discuss EMS and have photos with their elected leaders. Over 26 legislative appointments were scheduled for Stars honorees, to include a meeting with Governor Scott Walker.
According to PAAW President Patrick Ryan, "Stars stood up for EMS today at the State Capitol. It was nice to see their contributions and this award noted, honored and recognized."
For more information on who was included in the Stars 2010 and 2011 classes or to see photos on our facebook page or the PAAW website photo page dedicated to the daylong event at the Capitol, click the respective underscore for each. Interested in nominating someone for Stars 2012? Click here for the criteria and timeline.
October 8, 2011
EMS Office Makes Permanent Changes to EMS Advisory Board Meeting Schedule, Committees
Citing a change in reduced funding, the State's EMS Office has decided to drop the number of EMS Advisory Board meetings per year from five to two, as well as reduce the number of committees to four. The new change takes place immediately. In the announcement, October and April were identified as months meetings will be held each year, with the Board doing work in between these times. For up-to-date information and the new meeting schedule, click here.
To review the email issued by the EMS Office regarding this change, which also names the new committees, click here. To review the charter of the board, click here.
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