House Bill 195 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 bureau of TennCare is mandated to reimburse urban ambulance services at a minimum of 67.5% of the federal Medicare allowable charge and rural ambulance services at 100% of the same.

Additionally, the bill outlines that the bureau of TennCare will seek intergovernmental transfers to potentially increase reimbursement rates beyond the established minimums. It also requires the bureau to develop 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 will take effect upon becoming law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 71-5-165