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Expected Medicaid increase is disappointing
By JOHN HULTGREN
Kentucky EMS Connection
Correction: Due to a reporting error, the last Medicaid increase, two years ago, was 14 percent, and not 4 percent as reported. This increase should be about ten percent. (11.5.07)
BENTON — Kentucky EMS providers were expecting a $2.5 million increase in Medicaid reimbursements, but now it looks like they can only expect to receive $755,000.
Last September, Health and Family Services Secretary Mark Birdwhistell announced at the Kentucky EMS Conference and Expo that Gov. Ernie Fletcher intended to sign an executive order that would place an additional $750,000 into Medicaid for EMS. After federal matching, that would have increased EMS reimbursements approximately $2.5 million.
However, the Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association has learned through discussions with the Fletcher administration this week that the increase, to have been effective Oct. 1, was not implemented exactly as KAPA expected.
"It is our understanding at this point that the effective date for the increase is somewhat unclear," said KAPA president Mark Harrison. "The increase will be $230,000 in state funds and $525,000 in federal matching funds, for a total increase of $755,000. All will be applied to the base rates: $10 on ALS, $7.50 on BLS emergency, and $5.00 on BLS non-emergency."
"I believe that Secretary Birdwhistell was speaking in good faith last September, but either quoted the wrong figure or the Medicaid Commissioner was unable to allocate the full amount," Harrison explained. "This increase when implemented will be the second increase for EMS in about thirteen years and the last one was only four percent. Medicaid reimburses Kentucky’s ambulance providers at rates that are absolutely ridiculous. Our reimbursement rate is much lower than any surrounding state."
"Although I appreciate the attention and efforts on behalf of Governor Fletcher and Secretary Birdwhistell," Harrison said, "ambulance providers must receive more equitable reimbursement soon."
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