House committee hears bill to create ambulance provider assessment to boost Medicaid reimbursements

Summary

Lawmakers and ambulance providers told the House Health and Human Services committee that House Bill 56 would levy a 5.75% assessment on ambulance net operating revenue to draw federal Medicaid match dollars for higher reimbursements, wages and equipment; the measure depends on federal CMS approval and drew broad proponent support at a hearing.

Representative Ed Buttry asked the House Health and Human Services committee on Monday to approve House Bill 56, a provider assessment designed to shore up ambulance services across Montana by generating federal Medicaid match dollars.

Buttry, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the proposal would impose a 5.75% assessment on an ambulance provider's net operating revenue (gross revenue less bad debt, charity care and non‑patient service revenue). Money collected would feed a new ambulance Medicaid reimbursement special revenue account; when federal Medicaid match dollars are received, funds would be used to increase Medicaid reimbursements to ambulance providers, pay personnel and cover equipment and administration costs. Buttry said the fiscal note models a net zero impact to the state general fund.

The bill would not take effect unless the federal Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approves the supplemental payment program under applicable waiver authorities.…

House committee hears bill to create ambulance provider assessment to boost Medicaid reimbursements

Summary

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