2696 Nonpayment of unloaded ground or air ambulance mileage

Nonpayment of Unloaded Ground or Air Ambulance Mileage

[44 Pa.B. 8063]
[Saturday, December 27, 2014]

 The Department of Human Services (Department) is announcing that it will no longer pay ambulance providers for unloaded ground or air ambulance mileage, effective with dates of service on and after December 28, 2014.

Discussion

 As a result of a State Plan submission and discussions with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), CMS advised the Department that Federal Financial Participation is not allowed for unloaded ground or air ambulance mileage.

 Effective with dates of service on or after December 28, 2014, the Department will no longer pay ambulance providers for unloaded ground or air ambulance mileage. The Department will continue to pay for loaded ground or air ambulance mileage at the rate listed on the Medical Assistance (MA) Program Fee Schedule.

 The Department will issue an MA Bulletin to provide further information to ambulance providers regarding the discontinuance of payment for unloaded ground or air ambulance mileage.

Fiscal Impact

 This change is anticipated to result in minimal savings.

Public Comment

 Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding this notice to the Department of Human Services, Office of Medical Assistance Programs, c/o Regulations Coordinator, Room 515 Health and Welfare Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120. Comments received within 30 days will be reviewed and considered for any subsequent revision to the MA Program Fee Schedule.

 Persons with a disability who require an auxiliary aid or service may submit comments using the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at [phone] (TDD users) or [phone] (voice users).

BEVERLY D. MACKERETH, 
Secretary

 Fiscal Note: 14-NOT-931. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 14-2696. Filed for public inspection December 26, 2014, 9:00 a.m.]