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Crisis in Kentucky: Medicare reimbursement issues By
MIKE SWIFT GLASGOW — In the past few days, Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association leaders have received numerous telephone calls from Kentucky ambulance providers reporting significant reductions in Medicare reimbursement along with increases in Medicare denials since August 1, 2000. One ambulance provider in central Kentucky reported that Medicare owed his service almost $70,000 and that this was creating a serious financial hardship on his service and his local government. Other providers relate similar reports. Through the efforts of Hardin County Ambulance Service Director and KAPA Board member Barry Brown, a window of opportunity has been opened for KAPA to meet with Administar-Federal and address Medicare reimbursement issues and problems plaguing Kentucky's ambulance providers. It is hoped that the majority of the identified issues will be addressed and quickly resolved with the goal being for all issues to be resolved prior to the implementation of the new Medicare Fee Schedule that will take effect on January 1, 2001. In order to take full advantage of this opportunity, KAPA's leadership is requesting that all ambulance providers submit written descriptions of Medicare claim problems along with any supporting documentation, including EMOB's, to Barry Brown at the Hardin County Ambulance Service. Once received, a listing of the problems will be compiled and at a joint meeting of representatives from KAPA, KAPA's Medicare Consultant and Administar-Federal's representatives, the issues will be submitted for review and solutions. Administar-Federal will communicate their proposed solutions to the KAPA committee who in turn will communicate the information to the state's ambulance providers. Barry Brown's address is:
Time is critical and KAPA urges all providers to get their information regarding Medicare reimbursement problems to Barry Brown as soon as possible. We must all join together to preserve EMS in the Commonwealth as a true Medicare reimbursement crisis exists for Kentucky providers.
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