Bill

Bill > AB199


WI AB199

Reimbursement of emergency services under the Medical Assistance program when a patient is not transported, reporting on changes to the scope of practice of emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program. (FE)


summary

Introduced
04/15/2025
In Committee
06/06/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Medical Assistance reimbursement for nontransport ambulance services Under current law, the Department of Health Services uses a standardized coding system, which is known as the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) and produced by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to describe certain products, supplies, and services for those submitting claims for reimbursement under the Medical Assistance program. The Medical Assistance program is a joint state and federal program that provides health services to individuals who have limited financial resources. This bill directs DHS to change, for dates of service beginning with January 1, 2027, the current maximum reimbursement allowed under the Medical Assistance program for services provided under HCPCS code A0998, often referenced as Xambulance response and treatment, no transport,Y from the current maximum allowable fee to a rate that matches the maximum allowable rate for reimbursement of services provided under HCPCS code A0429, often referenced with a description of Xambulance service, basic life support, emergency transport (bls-emergency).Y Report on scope of practice changes The bill requires the Emergency Medical Services Board, in consultation with DHS and the Technical College System Board, to annually submit a report to the legislature on state and national changes to the scope of practice of emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, or any equivalent practitioners in other jurisdictions and how those scope of practice changes may affect training for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners in this state. Expenditure restraint incentive program The bill also excludes expenditures of amounts levied for fees apportioned to each municipality operating a joint fire department or joint emergency medical services district that are exempt from local levy limits from being considered in determining eligibility for an expenditure restraint incentive program payment. Under current law, a municipality is eligible to receive an expenditure restraint incentive program payment if its property tax levy is greater than 5 mills and if the annual increase in its municipal budget, subject to certain exceptions, is less than the sum of factors based on inflation and the increased value of property in the municipality as a result of new construction. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill addresses three key areas related to emergency medical services and municipal budgeting. First, it directs the Department of Health Services to modify Medical Assistance reimbursement rates for non-transport ambulance services (using Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System or HCPCS codes) starting January 1, 2027, by increasing the reimbursement rate for code A0998 (ambulance response and treatment with no transport) to match the rate for code A0429 (basic life support emergency transport). Second, the bill requires the Emergency Medical Services Board to submit an annual report by September 15 to the legislature detailing state and national changes in the scope of practice for emergency medical responders and practitioners, and how these changes might impact training requirements. Third, the bill modifies municipal budget calculations for the expenditure restraint incentive program by excluding expenditures of amounts levied for joint fire departments or emergency medical services districts from budget increase calculations, which could help municipalities maintain eligibility for incentive payments. These changes aim to support emergency medical services, improve reimbursement rates, and provide more flexible budgeting for local emergency service providers.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (28)

Last Action

Referred to committee on Rules (on 06/06/2025)

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