MACo’s 2021 Winter Conference on Dec 8-10 will explore a broad range of issues sure to be key topics in the 2022 legislative session. The Rural County Coalition will take a deep dive into one of MACo’s legislative priorities: resetting emergency transport as a realistic recognition of care.
MACo’s Rural County Coalition provides a forum for Maryland’s rural counties to share their unique perspective on important state and federal policy issues. They will meet at the 2021 Winter Conference on Thursday, Dec 9, from 11:45 am – 12:45 pm.
At this meeting, MACo staff will be presenting on the Association’s 2022 legislative initiative around funding fairness and recognition for emergency transportation. The last time EMS billing rates were updated was in 1999. Current law allows for EMS providers to bill up to $100 per ride to a hospital. No other services provided either in the field or while in transit are eligible for reimbursement. Because of Maryland’s outdated EMS billing practices, volunteer, municipal, and county EMS services are struggling to survive – especially in the face of a national opioid crisis and a global pandemic. MACo has made it a priority to advocate for a statutory realignment of Maryland’s definition of care and compensation to recognize and enhance the role EMS plays in our healthcare system.
Registered conference participants should join this meeting to learn more and be part of the discussion!
Learn more about MACo’s Winter Conference:
