AAA issues action alert
Tell Congress to increase Medicare reimbursement rates for ambulance providers

AMERICAN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. — New Medicare reimbursement rates for ambulance services will go into effect on April 1, 2002.  These rates are not based on the cost to provide ambulance services in most areas-in fact the rates are approximately 45% below the national average cost of providing ambulance services to Medicare patients.

Not being reimbursed at cost will have a devastating impact on the long-term ability of all ambulance service providers to serve their communities.

TOGETHER WE CAN CHANGE THIS!

WRITE YOUR MEMBERS  OF CONGRESS: Tell him or her the exact impact that below-cost reimbursement will have on our industry and individual ambulance service providers.  Our message is simple:

• Reimburse ambulance service providers based on the cost of providing services.
• Co-sponsor the Medicare Ambulance Payment Reform Act of 2001(H.R.  3109, S. 1350) and also the Medicare Rural Ambulance Service Improvement Act of 2001(H.R. 3545).

HERE'S HOW!

1) SEND YOUR LETTER: Click on: http://www.the-aaa.org.  Enter your zip code in the box called  "Write to Congress" and follow the easy instructions.  This Web tool will automatically fax your letter to your Members of Congress-for free!

2) SCHEDULE MEETINGS WITH YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS: Members will be home from March 25-April 5.  Follow-up your letter by setting up appointments with your Members.  The letter writing tool has the telephone numbers you will need to call to set up your appointments.  Then... 

3) DOWNLOAD THE FEE SCHEDULE TOOLKIT: The AAA Web site has all the materials you will need to meet with your Members of Congress: a guide on what to say and supporting materials to leave behind with them.  Go to http://www.the-aaa.org!


CONGRESS NEEDS TO HEAR FROM YOU

As a constituent, you are the most important voice to Members of Congress. Although the AAA is currently lobbying in Washington to increase reimbursement rates, our success depends on you telling your Members of Congress about how the new below-cost reimbursement rate will effect your operation and the community your Members of Congress represent.

Tell Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 3109, S. 1350 and H.R. 3545

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