Committee advances bill allowing self-assessment to boost Medicaid reimbursement for ambulance providers
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Summary
SB424 would authorize an ambulance provider self‑assessment to generate a state fund that can be used to increase Medicaid reimbursements for ambulance transports; sponsors said the measure is used in other states and would raise $ per transport to draw federal matching dollars and help close reimbursement gaps.
Senate Bill 424, presented May 28 by the Nevada Ambulance Association, would authorize ambulance providers to assess themselves on each trip and deposit the proceeds into a state‑managed account. That fund could be used to increase Medicaid reimbursement for ambulance transports by drawing federal matches where available. The measure was advanced in committee work session.
Presenters said private ambulance companies face rising costs while Medicaid rates have not kept pace. Alfredo Alonso (Nevada Ambulance Association) described the assessment as roughly a small per‑trip amount (testimony characterized it as about $20 per transport) that the industry would collect and place into an account administered by Medicaid; federal rules would determine whether the state could receive matching funds. Brian McAnallen, vice president of the association, said the mechanism operates in other states and would help close the gap toward Medicare comparability for Medicaid reimbursements.
Supporters from multiple ambulance providers and associations testified in favor. Committee members asked clarifying questions about federal contingency: sponsors said if the federal match is unavailable the assessment would not require the state to replace federal funds; the funding model depends on CMS approval. The committee advanced the measure in work session.
Ending: The committee advanced SB424. Sponsors and DHCFP will need to pursue CMS guidance and any required state regulatory steps before assessments would be implemented.