Senate Bill 183 aims to amend the Medical Assistance program by adjusting reimbursement rates for non-transport ambulance services and enhancing reporting on the scope of practice for emergency medical responders. Specifically, starting January 1, 2027, the Department of Health Services (DHS) is directed to increase the reimbursement rate for services coded as A0998 (ambulance response and treatment, no transport) to match the rate for A0429 (ambulance service, basic life support, emergency transport). Additionally, the bill mandates the Emergency Medical Services Board, in collaboration with DHS and the Technical College System Board, to provide an annual report to the legislature detailing changes in the scope of practice for emergency medical responders and how these changes may impact training.

Furthermore, the bill modifies eligibility criteria for the expenditure restraint incentive program by excluding certain expenditures related to joint fire departments or emergency medical services districts from being counted against local levy limits. This change is intended to provide municipalities with more flexibility in managing their budgets while ensuring that essential emergency services are adequately funded. The bill includes specific legal language to implement these changes, including the insertion of new provisions regarding reimbursement rates and reporting requirements, as well as the exclusion of certain expenditures from budget calculations.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 79.05(2)(c), 79.05