Merge EMS Call-Intake, Dispatch, Operations and Billing…or Else

What is the dilemma?
-Definitions of ALS and emergency are different in dispatch, the field, and for filing for reimbursement.
-Conflicting documentation results in the necessity to file for reimbursement at the lower level.
-The Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Inspector General, and the State Attorneys General are pursuing ambulance services that file claims for ALS or emergency transports inappropriately. ($1 of investigation expense results in $17 of recovery)
-Few fully understand the rules and regulations applicable for ambulance reimbursement.
-Most ambulance providers (private, fire, hospital, volunteer, etc.) inadequately monitor their billing department or outside billing agency, yet the provider is ultimately held accountable and subject to repayment, damages, fines, penalties, and interest for filing claims inappropriately. Ignorance is not a viable defense
-Actions occurring and documentation in Dispatch is essential for complying with the rules and regulations for filing for ambulance reimbursement.

What is the discussion?
-Most EMS systems respond ALS to all 9-1-1 calls, but payers (especially Medicare) will not reimburse at the higher ALS level unless certain criteria are met.
-Advanced Life Support (ALS) is the appropriate level for reimbursement when ALS interventions are provided OR when an ALS assessment is required with or without ALS treatment.
-Being reimbursed at the ALS level for assessment only is entirely dependent upon the defined protocols implemented, activities accomplished and documentation provided by the EMS Dispatch Center.

Join the presentation on June 15 at 2 pm ET to get in on these objectives of the complimentary, online webinar:
-Introduce and understand the definitions.
-Recognize causes of conflicting documentation and identify elements that often contradict each other.
-Define the necessary steps and documentation requirements for dispatch and operations in order to comply with payer rules and regulations and ensure appropriate reimbursement.
-Identify key indicators to monitor compliance of an in-house billing program or an outside billing service

The presentation is designed for a broad based audience including those who dispatch, field, and billing services and those who are ultimately supervise and responsible for compliance and performance.

Richard Keller will be presenting this 60-minute webinar, who is a top EMS system expert and creative designer. As a partner of Fitch & Associates, LLC for 25 years, he has been a driver behind understanding the production efficiency and design of EMS systems. His areas of expertise include operations, fiscal systems development, and reimbursement. He leads the health-care finance component of the firm’s practice.

Register Here