Senate Bill 210 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 71-5-165, to redefine terms related to ambulance services and establish reimbursement rates for urban and rural ambulance service providers under the TennCare program. The bill specifies that an "ambulance service provider" can be either public or private and must operate within the state. It distinguishes between "rural" and "urban" ambulance services based on the point of pick-up location, aligning definitions with federal regulations. The reimbursement rates set forth in the bill mandate that urban ambulance service providers receive at least 67.5% of the federal Medicare allowable charge, while rural providers are to receive 100%.

Additionally, the bill outlines that the bureau of TennCare will seek intergovernmental transfers to potentially increase reimbursement rates beyond those specified. It also mandates the development of a program similar to the federal Emergency Triage, Treat, and Transport (ET3) model, ensuring compliance with the new regulations. Furthermore, for-profit ambulance service providers offering rural services will be eligible for emergency medical services equipment grants. The act is set to take effect upon becoming law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 71-5-165