Bill > SB0210

This bill amends Tennessee's healthcare regulations by establishing separate reimbursement rates for rural and urban ambulance services provided to TennCare (Tennessee's Medicaid program) recipients. Specifically, the bill defines rural and urban ambulance services based on the location of patient pick-up, using federal definitions from the Code of Federal Regulations. Under the new provisions, urban ambulance services will be reimbursed at a rate of at least 67.5% of the federal Medicare program's allowable charge, while rural ambulance services will be reimbursed at 100% of the Medicare rate. The bill also allows for-profit rural ambulance service providers to receive emergency medical services equipment grants. Additionally, the Tennessee Bureau of TennCare is required to seek intergovernmental fund transfers to potentially increase reimbursement rates and develop a program similar to the federal Emergency Triage, Treat, and Transport (ET3) model, which aims to improve emergency medical services. The legislation explicitly states that funds from this section cannot be used to fund other ambulance service provider assessments, and the act will take effect immediately upon becoming law.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0210&ga=114