Table of Contents

AAA Hires Data Analysis Firm to Conduct Ambulance Cost Study

Senate Budget Resolution Excludes Medicare Inflation Reductions

"Medlearn Matters" Now "MLN Matters"

Standard Paper Remittance Unavailable for Electronic Remittance Advice Users

HHS Releases Pandemic Planning Update and Emergency Medical Checklist

ASM 2006 Summer Session

Pictures From Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Needed

AAA 2006 Stars of Life Registration is Open!!!

AAA Hires Data Analysis Firm to Conduct Ambulance Cost Study

On March 20, the AAA Board of Directors approved the hiring of Quantria Strategies, LLC to conduct and direct a study for the AAA on the costs of providing ambulance services. Quantria Strategies will be responsible primarily for defining the parameters of survey and reaching out to ambulance service providers to obtain the necessary cost information. The AAA is moving forward with its own ambulance cost survey in order to have a current basis by which to compare the results of the GAO survey which is due to be released late this spring or summer.

Quantria Strategies, LLC was founding in January 2000 by two economists, John O'Hare and Judy Xanthopoulos. Quantria develops and maintains a suite of simulation models designed to support the policy process. These models answer questions on aggregate economic impacts, distributional analysis, uncertainty (risk and portfolio) analysis and tax revenue and budget (cost) analysis. In addition, Quantria performs independent consulting services to clients seeking data analysis for the legislative process, including budget and revenue analysis. Quantria has expertise and experience and conducting surveys and directing cost analysis projects.

Senate Budget Resolution Excludes Medicare Inflation Reductions

On March 16, the Senate passed by a vote of 51 to 49 their FY2007 Budget Resolution. The House Budget Committee is currently conducting hearings on the various aspects of their FY2007 Budget Resolution. The Resolution (S.Con.Res. 83) fortunately does not include the reductions in inflation updates for Medicare providers as proposed in the budget submitted by the Administration.

"Medlearn Matters" Now "MLN Matters"

The Medicare Learning Network has announced a new name for its Medicare fee-for-service provider education articles.  Formerly known as "Medlearn Matters," these articles are now called "MLN Matters".  CMS changed the name to more closely associate these articles with the Medicare Learning Network, which is the official educational information source for Medicare fee-for-service providers. 

Standard Paper Remittance Unavailable for Electronic Remittance Advice Users

As of June 1, 2006 , the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ( CMS ) will no longer mail standard paper remittance ( SPR ) to those suppliers and providers who also receive an electronic remittance advice (ERA). This will be the case if the ERA is received directly or through a billing agent, clearing house, or other entity representing a supplier or provider.

In response to the continued need for standard paper remittance, CMS has developed free software, Medicare Remit Easy Print (MREP), which allows users to read and print a remittance advice (RA) from the HIPAA compliant Health Care Claim Payment/Advice (835) file. The paper output generated by MREP is similar to the SPR format. CMS has worked with other payers to insure their acceptance of the SPR generated by the MREP software for Coordination of Benefit claim submission. Additionally, CMS has worked with clearinghouses to assure similar software is available to read and print an ERA for those providers/suppliers that utilize clearinghouse services.

CMS encourages providers currently receiving the ERA, who don't use software to read and print RAs from these files, to begin using MREP or other similar software before the June 1 cutoff. For the MedLearn Matters article on the subject, please access the CMS website at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0611.pdf .

HHS Releases Pandemic Planning Update and Emergency Medical Checklist

On Monday, March 13, Michael Leavitt, Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, released a report titled, "Pandemic Planning Update," which outlines the Department's five priorities related to pandemic planning and provides an update of our progress.  This and other related pandemic information is available on the US Government's official site for pandemic flu: www.pandemicflu.gov

A direct link to the "Pandemic Planning Update" (pdf) is here: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/panflu20060313.pdf

A direct link to the "Emergency Medical Checklist" (html) is here:

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/emgncymedical.html

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/

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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