March 15, 2006

March 15, 2006
E-Update

Table of Contents

Temporary Medicare Provider Payment Freeze in September

ASM 2006 Summer Session

Register for the 2006 EMS Today Conference and Expo in Baltimore

Pictures From Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Needed

AAA 2006 Stars of Life Registration is Open!!!

Temporary Medicare Provider Payment Freeze in September
By: David M. Werfel, Esq.

Section 5203 of the Deficit Reduction Act, signed into law on February 8, 2006 , requires a freeze on Medicare payments to all physicians, suppliers and providers, including ambulance services. This is a one-time hold on payments and only affects claims that would have been paid September 22-30, 2006.

Claims that would have been paid on one of those days will be paid on October 1, 2006 . This is being done simply to move payments into the next Fiscal Year.

CMS notified its contractors of this provision through Transmittal 847 on February 10, 2006 . This hold on claims applies to paper as well as electronic claims. Also, no interest or late penalty will be paid on claims for these 9 days, as a result of the law.

I thought it appropriate to give you this advance notice now. The AAA will also give you a reminder in late August or early September so that you can plan accordingly.

Attached is a copy of Transmittal 847 as well as the MedLearn Matters article on the matter.

ASM 2006 SOLD OUT!

Now accepting enrollment for a special 2006 summer session of the Ambulance Service Manager (ASM) Program. Reserve your place today!

2006 Ambulance Service Manager (ASM)
The ASM Program is sponsored by the American Ambulance Association (AAA) and is for aspiring, new, and experienced managers who wish to develop their leadership competencies and sharpen essential management skills. The program provides a broad foundational curriculum matching cutting edge management theory with real-life practical applications.

The ASM Program is a certification course designed to immerse participants in an engaging learning cohort. A small group of 40 participants moves together through two weeks of face-to-face instruction and experiential learning led by industry leading faculty bridged by several weeks of online discussion and group project work.

ASM Graduates will:

Develop 41 competencies essential to contemporary leaders managing sustainable EMS Organizations.
Build problem solving skills through real life case studies, group work, and an industry specific team research project.
Appreciate principles of system design, operational efficiency, and performance management.
Demystify the complexities of finance, budgeting, and the ever evolving reimbursement landscape.
Learn cutting edge practices and theories including appreciative inquiry, emotional intelligence, and other human relations innovations.
Engage industry leaders as they present current trends in EMS including system design, technology, best practices, and what the future holds.

Dates for the 2006 program are:

Online begins June 21, 2006
Onsite week 1: July 20-25, 2006
Onsite week 2: September 7-12, 2006

Questions? Call Sharon Conroy at (816) 431-2600.

Go to http://www.fitchassoc.com/Services/conferences.htm to download the brochure and registration materials. http://www.fitchassoc.com/

Please fill out attached registration form and be sure that you check the box “Yes, I am an American Ambulance Association Member.”

For more information on the EMS Today Conference and Expo in Baltimore please click here

Pictures From Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Needed

As we are looking forward to the Stars of Life Event in Washington, DC, we remember the work that members did to assist in affected areas in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The AAA would like you to send pictures or videos of your crews in action that we may with use at the Stars of Life Banquet.

We need all photos by COB Monday, April 24, 2006. Please send any images you may have to: edavis@the-aaa.org

AAA 2006 Stars of Life Registration is Open

It’s time to REWARD & CONGRATULATE all outstanding ambulance service professionals, by recognizing them at this year’s 2006 Stars of Life Celebration. This year’s event will take place at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC.

For hotel information & to register your Star, download the Stars of Life brochure off the AAA website at www.the-aaa.org.

Don't miss the April 3, early registration deadline!

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