Medical Transportation Association of New Jersey News

Medical Transportation Association of New Jersey Unveils New Code of Ethics to Support Patient Care and Integrity

Amanda Riordan — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 14:46:26 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact
Amanda Riordan
newjersey@ambulance.org

February 12, 2024

Medical Transportation Association of New Jersey Unveils New Code of Ethics to Support Patient Care and Integrity

TRENTON, New Jersey—The Medical Transportation Association of New Jersey (MTANJ), representing ambulance providers across the state, proudly announces the introduction of its Code of Ethics, setting a new standard for patient care, organizational integrity, and community service in medical transportation.

MTANJ, as the leading advocate for ambulance providers in Trenton, has long been committed to advancing policies that promote excellence in patient care and ensure fair reimbursement. The introduction of this comprehensive Code of Ethics reflects the association's dedication to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, and ethical conduct within its member organizations.

President Greg Scott, a distinguished leader with decades of experience in medical transportation, expressed his enthusiasm for this milestone, stating, "The MTANJ Code of Ethics represents a significant step forward for our profession. It underscores our unwavering commitment to prioritizing patient care, maintaining organizational integrity, and serving our communities with the utmost professionalism. By adhering to these ethical principles, we can assure the public and regulators that their trust in our services is well-placed."

The MTANJ Code of Ethics outlines three core pillars to which its members commit:

Quality Patient Care

Prioritize patient-first ethics, ensuring quality and medically necessary care.
Treat patients and staff with respect, kindness, and dignity.
Maintain patient confidentiality and privacy in accordance with HIPAA and other laws.
Obtain informed consent, respect patients' rights, and ensure continuity of care.

Organizational Integrity and Transparency

Uphold honesty and integrity in all communications and record-keeping.
Avoid and disclose conflicts of interest.
Adhere to legal and regulatory standards, including those of Medicare, Medicaid, and the New Jersey Office of Emergency Medical Services.
Ensure accurate financial reporting.
Maintain a robust compliance program to monitor adherence to standards and regulations.

Community Service and Professional Conduct

Commit to serving the community's needs with professional and ethical conduct.
Avoid discrimination and embrace diversity in providing patient care.
Maintain professionalism in all aspects of operations and communications.

Adherence to these principles is a requirement for continued membership in the association, reinforcing MTANJ's dedication to excellence.

MTANJ invites New Jersey ambulance services and medical transportation providers to join them in their advocacy efforts, as they work together to shape the future of mobile healthcare.

For more information about the Medical Transportation Association of New Jersey, please visit www.medtransnj.org.

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About the Medical Transportation Association of New Jersey (MTANJ)

The Medical Transportation Association of New Jersey (MTANJ) serves as the voice of ambulance providers in Trenton. Collaborating with emergency medical services across the state, MTANJ works to drive policies that support excellence in patient care and fair reimbursement. Its members are dedicated to providing high-quality mobile healthcare and safe medical transportation to serve the needs of their communities.

Rest in Peace, Mickey McCabe

Amanda Riordan — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 19:58:10 GMT

2022 MTANJ Advocacy Priorities

Amanda Riordan — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 18:33:02 GMT

Dear Fellow MTANJ Member,

MTANJ members serve their communities with vitally important mobile healthcare and medical transportation every day. As President of your association, it is my honor to work with my fellow board members to advocate for your needs in Trenton.

As you have likely seen on our website (www.medtransnj.org) or member Basecamp email notifications, MTANJ has recently racked up several key victories, including the reinstatement of crossover payments as well as successful legislation to extend the one EMT staffing rule until 1/1/2023.

Now, more than ever, your dues are sustaining measurable progress for our industry! This year, we look to continue our wins as we work toward the following priorities.

Eliminate Copays for Dual Eligible Patients

Medicare Advantage plans have replaced a high percentage of beneficiary’s traditional Medicare plans. Now dual eligible patients (Medicare with Medicaid) beneficiaries also have these $250 deductible/co-pays or more, on each leg of every trip. These patients are economically disadvantaged and without assets. They cannot possibly pay, resulting in what is effectively free service from ambulance providers. This practice is extremely harmful to our economic viability and continued ability to serve our communities.

For example, a dual eligible dialysis patient with a Medicare Advantage plan likely goes to dialysis round trip three times per week— six legs at $250 deductible/co-pay per leg—or $1500 that the ambulance provider never sees each week. These deductibles/co-pays apply to emergency ambulance service as well. MTANJ will seek legislative solutions to eliminate these impossible copays, benefitting both providers and patients.

Raise the Medicaid Emergency Ambulance Rate

The Medicaid Emergency Ambulance Rate (A0429) of $58.00 plus $1.50 per mile has not been increased since 1994 and comes nowhere near close to covering the cost of care. Even Medicare pays us $450.00 plus $8.00 per mile.

The MTANJ has tirelessly advocated for an increase from DHS. We have waited for 27 years and will not wait another. In 2022, the MTANJ board will ramp up advocacy pressure with the goal of attaining sustainable funding for A0429 transports.

Bariatric Ambulance

The unique needs of bariatric patients—and the additional costs incurred by mobile healthcare providers that serve them—are not presently acknowledged nor reimbursed by insurance carriers. We estimate that the cost to the provider is at least two to six times higher than a non-bariatric ambulance trip due to increased labor costs, supplies, and the remarkably high cost of specialty vehicles outfitted for larger-bodied patients.

For example. electric bariatric stretchers cost about $14,000 each. The units are also equipped with winches, ramps, and various other necessities to transport bariatric patients. Oftentimes, it takes four (4) to ten (10) EMTs to manage these large patients if stairs are involved. This is not reimbursed and certainly not sustainable for our industry.

Bariatric transport has the largest patient injury risk and the most employee injuries, even with the best training and specialized equipment available.

Bariatric wheelchair units are also used daily, and not recognized or reimbursed appropriately, either. The MTANJ board will push for supplemental payments for transporting these special patients, whether by ambulance or MAV.

ModivCare (formerly Logisticare) Broker

All the rates paid to providers by the State of New Jersey’s Medicaid transportation broker fall far below our operational costs. These low rates drive down wages and result in in high employee turnover, due to hard work and low pay. MTANJ will advocate for a floor rate of roughly 10% above our costs.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding

The MTANJ board will seek New Jersey ARPA funds to enhance and sustain paid educational opportunities for individuals interested in entering or advancing their skills in the mobile healthcare or medical transportation field.

As you can see in the list above, we have our work cut out for us this year. However, I am confident that together we can continue to move our industry forward.

On behalf of my fellow MTANJ board members, I again thank you for your continued membership and participation. We look forward to serving you for many years to come.

Gregory Scott
President
Medical Transportation Association of New Jersey

NJ EMT Reid Needs a Kidney! Living Donor Sought

Amanda Riordan — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 16:52:29 GMT

URGENT: Fellow first responder Reid Cappel is in kidney failure and needs a kidney transplant. A living donor is his best chance at survival.

For years, Reid Cappel has selflessly served his New Jersey community as an emergency medical technician. Now, it is his turn to ask for a lifeline from his fellow public health and public safety professionals. Help Reid find a living kidney donor, so that he can get back to doing what he does best: caring for others.

Anyone who is healthy and eligible to be a kidney donor can give Reid the gift of life. A donor does not have to be a direct match, can live anywhere in the US, and will have access to donor protections and resources. EMS Gives Life, a nonprofit organization for first responders, by first responders, will provide guidance to our EMS, fire, and police brethren who are considering living donation.

All inquiries will be held in complete confidence. There is no commitment required to learn more. Meet Reid and learn more about living kidney donation at www.emsgiveslife.org/Reid.

Gov Murphy Signed S4140 Staffing Bill!

Amanda Riordan — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 17:28:15 GMT

President Scott and the MTANJ board are proud to share that as a result of tireless Association advocacy, Governor Murphy has signed the S4140 staffing bill (attached). Confirmation of his signature comes from MTANJ Champion Senator Vitale (http://www.senatorjoevitale.org/).

MTANJ is working hard to make sure ambulance services are heard in Trenton! Congratulations to the board on this exceptional victory for members.

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2020/S4140

Staffing Bills Pass Full Vote, Waiting on Gov Murphy

Amanda Riordan — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 21:11:30 GMT

President Scott and the MTANJ board are proud to share that as a result of tireless Association advocacy, even further progress has been made on the one EMT staffing initiative.

S4140 and A6073 have each passed full votes!

Governor Phil Murphy must sign the bill into law immediately in order to beat the January 11th DOH waiver expiration date. However, we are optimistic that he will do so.

Now, more than ever, MTANJ voices are being heard in Trenton! MTANJ is doing everything possible to support our members and address dire staffing shortages during these challenging times.

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2020/S4140

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2020/A6073

EMS Staffing Bills In Progress!

Amanda Riordan — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 18:38:45 GMT

President Scott and the MTANJ board are proud to share that as a result of tireless Association advocacy, great progress has been made on the one EMT staffing initiative.

S4140 and its companion bill, A6073, have passed their respective Health Committees. There will be a full Senate and Assembly vote on January 10th, and the Association expects both to pass.

After passage, Governor Phil Murphy must sign the bill into law immediately in order to beat the January 11th DOH waiver expiration date.

Thank you to President Greg Scott and John Bush for their remote testimony at the Assembly health meeting this morning. Now, more than ever, MTANJ voices are being heard in Trenton!

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillView.asp?BillNumber=S4140

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillView.asp?BillNumber=A6073

Crossover SPA Approved

Amanda Riordan — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 14:25:49 GMT

Great news just in time for Thanksgiving!
As a result of MTANJ's continued advocacy, CMS has approved the crossover state plan amendment!

https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/spa/downloads/NJ-21-0005.pdf

The official approval date is 11/16, with a retroactive effective date of July 1!

We will continue to share information as it becomes available.

Have a wonderful holiday!

Follow MTANJ on social media!

Amanda Riordan — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 12:49:30 GMT

Connect with MTANJ on Facebook and LinkedIn to stay up-to-date!

Save With Savvik!

Amanda Riordan — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 19:00:10 GMT

Savvik saves the MTANJ time and money by doing National Public Bidding. These public bids are free to use for all Savvik members. If you have not created your Savvik online profile, click here to do so – it takes less than 30 seconds.

www.savvik.com

HHS Announces the Availability of $25.5 Billion in COVID-19 Provider Funding

Amanda Riordan — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 20:08:37 GMT

From HHS on September 10, 2021

OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2021

Contact: HHS Press Office
202-690-6343
media@hhs.gov

HHS Announces the Availability of $25.5 Billion in COVID-19 Provider Funding

Combined application for American Rescue Plan rural funding and Provider Relief Fund Phase 4 will open on September 29

The Biden-Harris Administration announced today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is making $25.5 billion in new funding available for health care providers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding includes $8.5 billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) resources for providers who serve rural Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or Medicare patients, and an additional $17 billion for Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 for a broad range of providers who can document revenue loss and expenses associated with the pandemic.

"This funding critically helps health care providers who have endured demanding workloads and significant financial strains amidst the pandemic," said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. "The funding will be distributed with an eye towards equity, to ensure providers who serve our most vulnerable communities will receive the support they need."

Consistent with the requirements included in the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2020, PRF Phase 4 payments will be based on providers' lost revenues and expenditures between July 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021. As part of the Biden-Harris Administration's ongoing commitment to equity, and to support providers with the most need, PRF Phase 4 will reimburse smaller providers—who tend to operate on thin margins and often serve vulnerable or isolated communities—for their lost revenues and COVID-19 expenses at a higher rate compared to larger providers. PRF Phase 4 will also include bonus payments for providers who serve Medicaid, CHIP, and/or Medicare patients, who tend to be lower income and have greater and more complex medical needs. HRSA will price these bonus payments at the generally higher Medicare rates to ensure equity for those serving low-income children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and seniors.

Similarly, HRSA will make ARP rural payments to providers based on the amount of Medicaid, CHIP and/or Medicare services they provide to patients who live in rural areas as defined by the HHS Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. As rural providers serve a disproportionate number of Medicaid and CHIP patients who often have disproportionately greater and more complex medical needs, many rural communities have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic. Accordingly, ARP rural payments will also generally be based on Medicare reimbursement rates.

"We know that this funding is critical for health care providers across the country, especially as they confront new coronavirus-related challenges and respond to natural disasters," said Acting HRSA Administrator Diana Espinosa. "We are committed to distributing this funding as equitably and transparently as possible to help providers respond to and ultimately defeat this pandemic."

In order to expedite and streamline the application process and minimize administrative burdens, providers will apply for both programs in a single application. HRSA will use existing Medicaid, CHIP and Medicare claims data in calculating payments. The application portal will open on September 29, 2021. To help ensure that these provider relief funds are used for patient care, PRF recipients will be required to notify the HHS Secretary of any merger with, or acquisition of, another health care provider during the period in which they can use the payments. Providers who report a merger or acquisition may be more likely to be audited to confirm their funds were used for coronavirus-related costs, consistent with an overall risk-based audit strategy.

To promote transparency in the PRF program, HHS is also releasing detailed information - PDF (PDF - 175 KB) about the methodology utilized to calculate PRF Phase 3 payments. Providers who believe their PRF Phase 3 payment was not calculated correctly according to this methodology will now have an opportunity to request a reconsideration. Further details on the PRF Phase 3 reconsideration process are forthcoming.

Additionally, in light of the challenges providers across the country are facing due to recent natural disasters and the Delta variant, HHS is announcing today a final 60-day grace period to help providers come into compliance with their PRF Reporting requirements if they fail to meet the deadline on September 30, 2021, for the first PRF Reporting Time Period. While the deadlines to use funds and the Reporting Time Period will not change, HHS will not initiate collection activities or similar enforcement actions for noncompliant providers during this grace period.

For more information about eligibility requirements, the documents and information providers will need to complete their application, and the application process for PRF Phase 4 and ARP Rural payments, visit: https://www.hrsa.gov/provider-relief/future-payments.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other news materials are available at https://www.hhs.gov/news.
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Last revised: September 10, 2021

Nationwide Prior Authorization Expansion

Amanda Riordan — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 17:12:35 GMT

From CMS on August 26

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced the following implementation dates for all remaining states and territories for the nationwide expansion of the Repetitive, Scheduled Non-Emergent Ambulance Transport (RSNAT) Prior Authorization Model. The model will begin:

On December 1, 2021 in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas;
No earlier than February 1, 2022 in Alabama, American Samoa, California, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Northern Mariana Islands and Tennessee;
No earlier than April 1, 2022 in Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Puerto Rico, Wisconsin, and U.S. Virgin Islands;
No earlier than June 1, 2022 in Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont; and
No earlier than August 1, 2022 in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Please continue to check this website and with your Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for upcoming educational opportunities. For additional information on the prior authorization process, please refer to the Operational Guide and Frequently Asked Questions in the Download section below.