Retirement plan limit increases

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced last week that it has increased the contribution limits for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), and most 457 plans.  The total contributions amounts has increased $500 from $18,500 to $19,000 for plan year 2019.  In addition, the “all sources” contribution maximum increase $1,000 to $56,000.  These limits...

Mid-term Election Analysis

As a result of Tuesdays’ elections, Democrats will control the U.S. House of Representatives next Congress and Republicans will have a larger majority in the United States Senate. Presently, Democrats have gained a net of 30 seats in the House with Republicans netting two seats in the Senate. Democrats needed to capture 23 seats...

Obituary for Steve Williamson

It is with deep sadness we share the passing of beloved family man, friend, colleague, and former AAA President Steve Williamson. H. Stephen Williamson Obituary H. Stephen Williamson, 68, of Hope, Arkansas, formerly of Tulsa, Oklahoma, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle passed away suddenly on November 3, 2018 at his home. Preceded in death by his...

How to Handle Employee Requests for Time Off to Vote

In preparation for next week's midterm elections, The Society for Human Resource Management has published an article to assist employers in handling employee requests for time off to vote. The article also highlights the states that have enacted voting rights leave laws. Read the Article Here►

EEOC Sexual Harassment Update Fall 2018

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released a Press Release yesterday encouraging employers to take “concrete steps to change their workplace cultures to prevent harassment”.  The EEOC held a meeting yesterday at their headquarters in Washington D.C. as it has been 12 months since the #MeToo movement first exploded in the media in October...

Cost Data Collection Quick Take: NPIs

As part of AAA's Cost Data Collection Quick Takes series, here’s a brief discussion about the issues around having single or multiple NPIs under the new data collection requirements. https://ambulancereports.org/2018/10/26/quick-takes-npis/ Sign-up for our Cost Data Collection email list for important updates on webinars, tools, and resources.

HIPAA Breach Results in Highest Settlement in OCR History

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) announced earlier this month that is has entered into the largest settlement agreement in the history of the Department with Anthem, Inc., the largest Blue Cross and Blue Shield health benefit companies in the country.  Anthem, Inc. agreed to pay...

2017 National and State-Specific Medicare Data

The American Ambulance Association is pleased to announce the publication of its 2017 Medicare Payment Data Report. This report is based on the Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary Master File. This report contains information on all Part B and DME claims processed through the Medicare Common Working File and stored in the National Claims History Repository. The...

Statement on Ambulance Cost Data Collection

October 22, 2018 Contact: Amanda Riordan Phone: 703-615-4492 Email: ariordan@ambulance.org For Immediate Release Statement on Cost Data Collection for Ambulance Services WASHINGTON, DC—On October 17, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and The Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association released a joint statement discouraging fire-based providers from endorsing AAA’s proposed ambulance cost collection methodology. While...

Please Update Your Records

AAA moved! Would you please direct all future communication to our new office? American Ambulance Association 202.802.9020 (NEW!) info@ambulance.org 1420 New York Ave NW 5th Floor, Washington DC, 20005 Thank you for your continued support.

President's Perspective October 2018

Dear Fellow AAA Members, Aarron Reinert
President
American Ambulance Association Since I assumed the office of president last month at our Annual Conference, I have been deeply moved by the selfless actions of ambulance services across the nation as they responded to natural disasters. As always, EMS answered the call to help...

MedPAC Examines Beneficiary Use of Emergency Departments

During its October meeting, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), reviewed Medicare’s current policies related to non-urgent and emergency care, as these topics relate to the use of hospital emergency departments (EDs) and urgent care centers (UCCs). The Commission is examining this topic because the use of ED services in recent years has grown...

Talking Medicare: CMS Implements Further Dialysis Cuts

Talking Medicare: CMS Implements Further Cuts in Reimbursement for Dialysis Services; Medicare Payment Data Shows Continued Reduction in Overall Spending on Dialysis Transports, but Net Increase in Dialysis Payments in Prior Authorization States On October 1, 2018, CMS implemented an additional thirteen (13%) cut in reimbursement for non-emergency BLS transports to and from dialysis. This cut...

Message from President Reinert

Adapted from Aarron Reinert's address at the 2018 American Ambulance Association Membership Meeting & Awards Dear Fellow Member: I write today to introduce myself as the new President of the American Ambulance Association. It is my honor to serve on your behalf, and I wanted to share with you a bit about my vision for our association over...

Opioid Bill Heads to President Trump’s Desk

The AAA is pleased to report that language we supported on grant funding for opioid protection training for first responders has passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate and is now headed to the President’s desk. On Wednesday, the Senate passed the Opioid Crisis Response Act with a bipartisan vote of 98-1 in...