New Federal Proposed Telehealth Rules will Affect Access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder
Originally Posted on PCG’s Health Policy News on March 30, 2023. Author: Eliza Mette In a continuation of our series examining the end of the COVID-19 federal Public Health Emergency (PHE), we do a deeper dive into federal telehealth flexibilities and policies that will expire. Among those flexibilities is a …
Scholarship Opportunities – Applications Due May 1st
Author: Kyrstyn Paulat Do you want to progress in your career through continuing your education? Are you looking to waive membership fees for a national association? Are you looking for a tuition waiver for emergency medical services (EMS) specific leadership training? Now’s the time! The Fitch EMS Foundation Scholarships are …
National Public Health Week – PCG Thanks All Fire & EMS Agencies!
Author: Michelle Silvestre Public Consulting Group (PCG) celebrates and promotes National Public Health Week (April 3-9). We thank Fire & Emergency Medical Service (EMS) agencies who play an enormous role in public health efforts. From standing in the front lines of a public health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, …
The Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule Increased, But Will It Help?
Author: Kyrstyn Paulat On October 14, 2022, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Transmittal 11642 (Change Request 12948), which announced the Medicare Ambulance Inflation Factor (AIF) for the calendar year 2023. The AIF is calculated by measuring the increase in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers …
How Pairing Paramedics and EMTs with Police Can Combat Rising Mental Health Crises in Communities
Author: Zachary Anta There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic is the largest global health crisis we have faced in generations. The pandemic caused major implications and uncertainty on all facets of life, health, and the economy. Social isolation, inflation, and financial pressures coupled with many more crippling impacts …
Climate Change and Natural Disasters: FEMA’s Preparedness Report
Author: Katie Jungjohann On an annual average, there are 6,800 natural disasters that happen worldwide and 97 of those occur within the United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released the 2022 National Preparedness Report (NPR), revealing the impact on communities and emergency management in correlation to climate change associated …
The End of the Public Health Emergency
Author: Andrew Martinez Biden announces plans to end national emergency involving COVID-19 On January 30th, the White House Administration announced that President Biden plans to extend the term of the two national emergencies involving the COVID-19 pandemic to May 11th, 2023. This adjustment in protocol would alter the way that …
FY 2022 SAFER Grant Opportunity: Application Open
Author: James Smyth The SAFER grant application is open until March 17, 2023, at 5 P.M. E.T. The focus of the grant is on enhancing local fire departments’ abilities to comply with staffing, response, and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Eligible fire departments and volunteer …
The Growing EMS Retention and Recruitment Gap
Author: Lauren Cantley When thinking of what EMTs or paramedics do for a living and knowing their national average salaries are $36,000 and $46,000 per year respectively, it comes as no surprise that income was the leading factor for EMS agency turnover in 2022 . In the article “Flattening the Turnover …
CMS Seeks to Support Communications between Providers and Carriers
Originally Posted on PCG’s Health Policy News on January 26, 2023. Author: Eliza Mette In December 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a Proposed Rule aimed at improving administrative simplification related to healthcare providers sharing HIPAA-protected information with insurance carriers. The intent of the proposed rule is to …