July 5, 2006
E-Update

Table of Contents

 Quantria Strategies Launches Ambulance Cost Study

AAA Website: Newly Password Protected

CMS Announces Contingency Plan Expiration for Electronic Remittance Advice
AAA Call For Candidates

OIG Issues Latest Advisory Opinion on 'Insurance Only' Billing by Municipal Ambulance Service

AMBUPAC Event in Indianapolis -- Sign Up Now

2006 Summer Reimbursement Conference held in only 6 days! REGISTER NOW!!

Volunteer Opportunities! Membership Features/Benefits Committee

“Secrets of Successful EMS Leaders” by Mike Taigman and Stephen Dean Now Available on AAA-Link

Mark Your Calendar: August Audioconference

ASM 2007 Session
 
Quantria Strategies Launches Ambulance Cost Study
 
Quantria Strategies has sent letters to 1,000 ambulance service providers asking that they participate in an ambulance cost study.  The providers were randomly selected and represent a cross section of all provider types, service area populations and regions of the country.  The AAA hired Quantria Strategies to conduct the study so that the ambulance industry will have a basis by which to compare the results of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) study on the costs of ambulance services now expected to be released this fall.
 
If you receive a letter, please follow the instructions and participate in the survey.  It is critical that we have a large response rate.  If you receive a letter and have any questions, please contact John O'Hare of Quantria Strategies at jfo@quantria.com or Judy Xanthopoulos at jax@quantria.com. 

AAA Website: Newly Password Protected

Our members should recently have received in the mail a membership pin, website login card and Hurricane Report. This mailing was sent to the primary contact for each company. If you are the primary contact, please share the login information with your staff so that they may access our website. If you did not receive a packet of information, please contact sbromley@the-aaa.org immediately.

 

 
CMS Announces Contingency Plan Expiration for Electronic Remittance Advice

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that its contingency plan for the HIPAA compliant transaction 835, or Electronic Remittance Advice, will expire on October 1, 2006.  A Special Edition MLN Matters article (SE0646) has been developed to help the Medicare fee-for-service provider community prepare for this change.  Attached is a copy of the article to this e-mail for your convenience. 
 
You can also access the article on the CMS Website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/.  The article is transmittal # SE0646 and is the third article from the bottom of the page. 

 

 

 

AAA Call For Candidates


To:      AAA Membership
From: The 2006 Nominating Committee:  Brian Walker, Chairman; Mike Woronka, Region I; Benny Atkins , Region II; Lauren Rubinson, Region III;   Rachel Harracksingh, Region IV; and Fred Sundquist, RegionV.


Re:     Call for Candidates as Officers, Directors, and Members of the Ethics Committee; also Call for Nominations of Individuals for “Honorary Membership”

In accordance with the By Laws of the American Ambulance Association, it is time to call for members in good standing that wish to serve as an Officer, a Regional Director, or a member of the Ethics Committee.  For specific qualifications, please visit the AAA website (www.the-aaa.org) and review the current bylaws, located in the drop down menu when you move your curser to “About the AAA” (http://www.the-aaa.org/about/bylaws.htm).  We are now seeking candidates for the following positions
President-Elect (6 year commitment) two-year term, two years as President and two years as Immediate Past President
Secretary – two-year term
Treasurer – two-year term
Regional Director (all regions) – two-year term
Member, Ethics Committee – two-year term
Anyone who wishes to be considered for an elected position as an Officer or as a Regional Director must:

  1. Be the designated representative of a member of the AAA, in good standing;
  2. Commit to attend at least five meetings per year, be ready to devote time and effort to matters which concern the Board of Directors and to actively participate in all Board activities;
  3. Be prepared to assist other AAA members with concerns and problems which relate to the ambulance industry and the workings of the AAA; and,
  4. Understand that these positions provide no compensation for time or reimbursement for expenses.  All travel-related expenses, including transportation, lodging and food are the responsibility of the individual and/or their sponsoring organization.

There are no restrictions against an individual running for more than one position in the same election cycle, though no person shall hold more than one position simultaneously. 
All those who wish to stand for election and believe they are qualified are requested to prepare a statement and answer Candidate’s Questionnaire which describes both their qualifications and reasons for wanting to participate either in the leadership of the AAA, or as a member of the Ethics Committee.  Both the statement and Candidate’s Questionnaire should be accompanied by a recent photograph that may be distributed, along with your statement and answers to the questionnaire, in the package containing official ballots sent to all AAA members who are eligible to vote in this election.
 
Honorary Membership Nominations
We are also accepting written nominations for worthy AAA members who have significantly contributed to the accomplishments of the AAA and should therefore be recognized through the granting of Honorary Membership.  The name(s) of anyone nominated for this category of membership, as well as the text of the nomination will be included in the election ballot as described above, and will provide a place for a vote of “YES”.  If the vote(s) of “YES” is expressed by at least seventy-five (75) percent of those voting, the individual(s) will be granted Honorary Membership. 

OIG Issues Latest Advisory Opinion on 'Insurance Only' Billing by Municipal Ambulance Service
By Brian Werfel, Esq.
 
On June 29, 2006, the Inspector General posted Advisory Opinion 06-07.  In this advisory opinion, the IG again concluded that a municipally owned and operated ambulance service could treat local taxes as payment for otherwise applicable cost sharing amounts (i.e. co-insurance and deductibles) due from residents without violating the anti-kickback statute.  This opinion is the latest in a series of advisory opinions on this subject, all of which have reached the same conclusion. 
 
You can access the IG's opinion on their website at: http://www.oig.hhs.gov/fraud/docs/advisoryopinions/2006/AdvOpn06-07.pdf

 

 

 

 

 


Rural/Metro Indianapolis

&

Trans-Care, Inc. of Terre Haute, IN

 

Proudly Announce an….

 

Evening at Rick’s Café Boatyard

 

While at the AAA Summer Conference in Indianapolis, join your colleagues for great food and ambiance. With a panoramic view of Eagle Creek Reservoir this is the perfect setting to enjoy fresh seafood and catch up with old friends.

 

6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 13, 2006

Rick's Cafe Boatyard
4050 Dandy Trail, Indianapolis, IN

 

Transportation to and from the event is on your own.

 

All proceeds go to the AAA Federal Political Action Committee (AMBUPAC)

 

Please register using the attached form!


2006 Summer Healthcare Reimbursement Conference

July 12 - July 15, 2006

Join us in Indianapolis for the American Ambulance Association’s 2006 Summer Healthcare Reimbursement Conference.

AAA has plenty of information to share with you regarding important issues that affect your business, including information about a new proposed rule !!!!! Don't delay, register NOW!

Register now by clicking here and faxing the form to 703-610-9005.

Volunteer Opportunities!

AAA is looking for more volunteers for the Membership Features and Benefits Committee! Join now and help to determine which benefits are offered as part of your AAA membership. AAA is looking for a diverse group to serve on this committee -- vendors, small providers, large providers and any other interested parties are encouraged to contact us.

Please contact Staff Liaison Stacy Bromley at 1-800-523-4447 or sbromley@the-aaa.org for more information or if interested.

Secrets of Successful EMS Leaders

“What's Important to You?”

Presented By Mike Taigman and Stephen Dean

June 2006 lesson now available FREE on the AAA-LINK

The popular audio tape series “Secrets of Successful EMS Leaders” by Mike Taigman and Stephen Dean is being posted as a monthly series FREE of charge as a  member benefit on the AAA-LINK.   Each month a new module will be posted.  Listen to the series online or download to your MP3 Player.  The series is also being distributed to all AAA member companies who have set up private LINK systems with EMSED.COM.    You can access the AAA-LINK at:  http://key.emsed.com .  A userid and password are required.  For more information or to sign up for a FREE userid and password call EMSED.COM at 877-435-9309.


 

Mark Your Calendar!

The Occupational and Vehicle Safety Audioconference August 9, time TBD

Industry Expert Ron Thackery, American Medical Response, will share with you the latest advances in EMS worker and vehicle safety. Effective strategies for negotiation insurance premiums and the management of safety in an EMS organization.

ASM 2006 Spring -> SOLD OUT!

ASM 2006 Summer -> SOLD OUT!

NOW ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS FOR ASM IN 2007

Now accepting enrollment for the 2007 session of the Ambulance Service Manager (ASM) Program.  Reserve your place today!

2007 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 2007 program are:

  • Online Session Begins: January 29, 2007
  • On-site Week 1: February 25-March 2, 2007
  • On-site Week 2: April 29 - May 4, 2007
Questions???  Contact Sharon Conroy at (816) 431-2600 or sconroy@emprize.net

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

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