EMS EVOLUTION 2023: August 7-9

Early Registration: Ends on June 1

May 25, 2023

The Texas House and Senate deadlines to consider bills from the opposite chamber passed this week, and TEMSA's EMS priorities appear to be on track before the 88th Legislature closes on Memorial Day.

The First Puzzle Piece: October 2021

TEMSA members huddled at EMS EVOLUTION 2021 in Horseshoe Bay to identify a legislative solution to address EMS recruitment and retention efforts.

TEMSA worked with lawmakers to create and pass a $21.7 million EMS education and recruitment program during the Texas Legislature's special session in the fall of 2021.

As a part of the program, Governor Abbott announced a $9 million EMS scholarship program earlier this month.

The Second Puzzle Piece: Solving the Out-of-Network Billing Issue

The 2021 Texas Legislature ended with TEMSA battling in the final days to stop EMS out-of-network payments from going to non-binding mediation.

TEMSA worked with lawmakers in the Legislature's interim to determine a solution. TEMSA sat down with the Texas Association of Health Plans, Senator Judith Zaffirini and Representative Tom Oliverson, MD, to create SB 2476.

TEMSA is now encouraging federal lawmakers to consider a similar policy at the federal level.

SB 2476 passed out of both chambers and will travel to Governor Abbott for his final consideration.

The Third Puzzle Piece: EMS Medicaid Rates

For the first time in 14 years, Texas EMS agencies will experience a Medicaid rate increase. More on that can be found below.

TEMSA's EMS Awards will return once again to EMS EVOLUTION 2023. This year, the awards will be presented during TEMSA's dinner by the lake on Tuesday, August 8.

Stay tuned to submit your nominations, which will be due in early July.

TEMSA will open the nominations after Memorial Day.

House and Senate budget conferees produced a joint version of the budget that would feature a round ambulance mileage rate increase of approximately 25 percent, which would total $3.2 million in "general revenue" and $8 million in "all funds."

While the House's original version of the budget featured a much larger EMS Medicaid increase, TEMSA is still pleased that the 2023 Legislature recognized the need to increase ground ambulance Medicaid funding in the final days of the Legislature.

This is the first time in 14 years that the state has increased ground ambulance provider rates.

SB 2133, which cleans up the state's 2021 dialysis transport law, cleared both chambers. The bill represents one of TEMSA's priorities.

The agreed-to bill represents a lengthy negotiation between TEMSA, hospitals, dialysis centers and the authors of the 2021 law - Sen. Boris Miles (D-Houston) and Rep. Tom Oliverson, MD (R-Spring).

A major thanks to Butch Oberhoff of Acadian Ambulance (pictured testifying above in the Senate) for brokering the deal and testifying on the bill in both chambers.

SB 2476, which would create a new standard for out-of-network EMS payments, has cleared both chambers. It will move over to Governor Abbott for his final consideration.

In case you missed it, click here to read TEMSA's statement.

Dozens of bills - everything from taxes to personnel matters - will affect Texas EMS agencies.

TEMSA will provide a very deep analysis to TEMSA members in the second half of June.

Laws & Regulations Touch Everything That You Do: Join TEMSA in August

Laws and regulations touch every aspect of an EMS agency. Whether we like it or not, we have no choice but to engage in the public policy process.

All Texas EMS agencies are encouraged to join TEMSA at EMS EVOLUTION 2023 this August to take a deeper look at the public policy changes.

Some of the Issues

The following is a look at some of the issues that passed and failed:

• Prudent layperson insurance.
• ESD preventive services.
• Fire fighter transport.
• "All-or-nothing" contracts.
• Itemized billing.
• Abandoned children and emergency services.
• Emergency lighting on emergency vehicles.
• Staffing variations.
• Next Generation 9-1-1.
• Scope of practice and nurse practitioners.
• All-Payer Claims Database enhancements.
• Public hospitals and MCOs.
• Prescription drugs.
• ESDs.
• Mental health holds.
• Emergency telemedicine.
• Personnel issues.
• Workers' comp.

A number of board seats, including the president-elect position, will be up for election in August.

June 16 Nomination Deadline

If you would like throw your hat in the ring for board position, click here to submit your interest. The deadline is Friday, June 16.

Please consider the following:

• The president-elect must come from the current board.
• The incumbents have the ability to run again; the seats may not be vacated.

Board Member Expectations

Board members are expected to attend the annual conference every year in person. In addition, board members are expected to attend the vast majority of the board members, which largely consist of a monthly board Zoom.

Board members who fail to fulfill these obligations will be removed from the board.

A look at the Board Seats

Click here to view TEMSA's current board. Those terms ending in 2023 will be up for election in 2023.

The Department of Veterans Affairs held a webinar earlier today to look at the department's new policy related to ambulance payments.

Click here for background from the American Ambulance Association.

June 1 is the early registration discount deadline for EMS EVOLUTION 2023. After that, prices will go up.

The Schedule, Registration & Complete Details

Click here for complete conference details, including registration and hotel reservations.

Once you register, TEMSA will follow back in several days with an invoice. (Don't worry, if you register before June 1, your low rate is locked in.) The new system will provide savings to TEMSA members by avoiding expensive conference registration programs.

Expect the Hotel to Sell Out

TEMSA's special rate at the Horseshoe Bay Resort is likely to sell out.

Title Sponsor:

Gold Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors:

EMERGICON

Wakefield

Life-Assist

Quick Med Claims

Henry Schein Medical

Got Your Covered Uniforms

Bobby Hillert

Texas EMS Alliance

Bobby@txemsa.com | 214.728.7672 m