News

Both Ford and GM, the primary producers of chassis for our industry, will be producing fewer chassis for ambulance production in calendar year 2014.

The slowdown has already started at Ford, where a V-10 engine commodity problem has curtailed the availability of Econoline 6.8L vans and cutaways so far this year.  Many ambulance manufacturers are reporting they are virtually out of both models, and that new chassis will be scarce for the foreseeable future.

The shortage will escalate in June, when Ford cutaway (Type III) production is shut down for 6 weeks due to a plant modification. In addition, the venerable Econoline van, long the workhorse of our industry, will be completely discontinued at that same time.  It will be replaced by the new Ford Transit as part of Ford’s global plan.

Industry sources state that the Transit startup in a new Ford plant will be slower than planned, and that the gas powered Transit vans with the required ambulance package are not expected to be available until early calendar 2015. Diesel powered Transit vans may be available slightly earlier.

GM is also making some moves that will affect the supply of their ambulance chassis in 2014.  A start up of production for a new mid-size pickup in the same GM plant that produces the G series vans and cutaways will reduce the production of those models by approximately 50% in the second half of calendar 2014.  GM does not have any significant changes in their ambulance chassis models scheduled in the short term.

Supplies of Ford F cab chassis, Sprinter, International, Freightliner and Ram ambulance chassis appear to be normal, and no shortage is anticipated in those models at this time.

Source: American Ambulance Association

To read the long version of this memo officially released by the Wisconsin EMS Office, click here.

The mission of the Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program is to ensure that the highest quality and standards of pre-hospital emergency medical care are available to all Wisconsin citizens and visitors.  To operate as an EMT or Emergency Medical First Responder, one must be licensed with the State of Wisconsin and credentialed with an ambulance service.

The 2014-2016 Provider License Renewal application is now available online through individual E-Licensing accounts. The Renewal application must be completed by June 30, 2014, in order to obtain a current certification or license that is valid until June 30, 2016.  All current Wisconsin EMS provider licenses and certifications expire on June 30, 2014.

Important renewal dates to remember for 2014-2016:

November 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014 is the standard renewal period.

July 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 is the late renewal period.

January 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016 is the reinstatement period.

A license or certification that has been expired for two years or more may only be reinstated by successful completion of the initial education, training and examination requirements.

As an EMS provider applicant, you will need the following information to complete the 2014-2016, EMS Provider Renewal Application on the E-Licensing system:

• Your initial or continuing EMS education refresher training completed between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2014;
• Your current CPR card; and
• Whether you were convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, or deferred prosecution, since your last application, or have pending charges at this time, or received a traffic violation that led to the suspension, revocation or withdrawal of your driver's license, and all required court documentation. (You will have the opportunity to upload the documents if you have them electronically.) If you cannot upload your documents into the application, you should email them to the Wisconsin EMS program at dhsemssmail@wisconsin.gov or fax them to 608-266-6391.

2014-2016, renewal instructions by provider level
2014-2016, First Responder Renewal Instructions
2014-2016, EMT Basic Renewal Instructions
2014-2016, EMT Intermediate Technician /AEMT Renewal Instructions
2014-2016, EMT Intermediate Renewal Instructions
2014-2016, EMT Paramedic Renewal Instructions
2014-2016, EMT Paramedic with Critical Care Endorsement Renewal Instructions

Besides delivering EMS care to a community, two of the most important business responsibilities an ambulance manager has is obviously billing for services provided and daily sales outstanding (the number of days from the patient being transported to the ambulance service actually being paid).  Topping the list for many is the fee structure paid by Medicare (Federal), Medicaid (BadgerCare at the State of Wisconsin), and now the Affordable Care Act through health insurance exchanges.

These three important areas are discussed in this newest webcast with Tristan North, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs at the American Ambulance Association in Washington, D.C.

Two items covered in the webcast are worth noting:

1. A current study is being completed to compile a ranking of state Medicaid rates paid to ambulance services.  We know Wisconsin ranks low in rates paid for BLS and ALS patient transportation; however, the final results will be telling.
2. The Affordable Care Act appears to offer insurance plans that cover many hospital charges, but not ambulance transportation.  The greater concern is some of these plan options have much higher deductibles in the thousands of dollars, possibly changing the payer mix to more self-pay patient transports.  This may put an ambulance service more at risk for not getting paid for 911 and other call out requests in serving the public's emergency or medical needs.

To listen to the webcast, click here.

The EMS Leadership Academy is a dynamic, four-level, 60-hour educational program designed to prepare persons to lead and manage today’s EMS organization. It is designed to give participants the basic tools and information needed to quickly and successfully assume or be in the role of an EMS leader.  The program series is underwritten and sponsored by the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health.

Since 2009, more than 900 leaders across the nation have participated in the Academy, many from Wisconsin during the past couple of years.

Each level is a 15-hour, two-day program presented on consecutive days in comfortable settings that invite participation and openness.  Class size is limited and the sessions are engaging, lively and participatory.

Each course is two-days and costs only $40 - inclusive of both days.  Meals and refreshments are included.  Please note that the levels need to be taken in order.  The previous level is a prerequisite for the next. 

Click here for the program brochure and outline.

Register on-line at: https://charge.wisc.edu/ruralhealth/workshops.asp

Level One
March 15-16, 2014
Marshfield Fire and Rescue Dept., Marshfield, WI

Level One
April 24-25, 2014
Green County EMS, Monroe, WI

Level Two
April 26-27, 2014
Green County EMS, Monroe, WI

Level Three
July 26-27, 2014
Lemonweir Valley Phone Company, Camp Douglas, WI

Level Four
August 16-17, 2014
Three Bears Lodge, Warrens, WI  

For additional information or if you have a question, contact:  Kathryn Miller, Program Manager, Rural Hospitals & Clinics Program, Wisconsin Office of Rural Health, Phone: 608-261-1891.