This PAAW driven initiative simply awaits Governor Walker's signature

A bill introduced by Rep. Paul Tittl and Sen. Sheila Harsdorf has passed both the Assembly and Senate, and is on its way to the Governor’s desk.  Once signed by Governor Walker, the new law would let the Department of Revenue apply its tax refund intercept program (TRIP) to debts owed to all Wisconsin ambulance services who wish to access it. 

Essentially, DOR could reduce a person’s tax refund by the amount needed to cover theunpaid costs of those services as long as they were performed pursuant to a contract with a municipality or county and are in response to a 911 call in that area. TRIP does not, however, apply to patients with Medicare or Medicaid. 

Rep. Paul Tittl, R-Manitowoc, proposed the bill, and, according to his office, it arose from complaints that some ambulance companies carry bad debt because when insurance carriers mail a check directly to the patient for the cost of their services, the money is not always used for its intended purpose in paying the ambulance bill.

According to PAAW President Patrick Ryan, “Because of the efforts of PAAW, now all 911 ambulance providers can use TRIP as a means to collect on bad debt that continues to go unpaid by the patient for  vital services rendered to them. This is another tool to help insure the strength and vitality of EMS in Wisconsin”.

The Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin has pursued TRIP legislation the past seven years, with the last two years showing the most promise in getting passed.  PAAW is represented by Michael Brozek with Midwest Strategies, a government relations firm in Madison.

CBS News 58 in Milwaukee recently interviewed Bell Ambulance Operations Director Chris Anderson regarding TRIP.  Click the player below to watch.