2. State Supplemental Payments: Texas HHSC
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has the ability to create supplemental Medicaid payments for Texas EMS agencies in their efforts to respond to COVID-19.
Each state’s Medicaid program received a 6.2 percent federal match increase to help provide relief to states during this COVID crisis.
This is great news and will offer some measure of relief to providers and suppliers who are facing increased costs and lower revenue. But we must speak out and ensure that EMS is included in the distribution of funds.
Currently, HHSC is considering the best way to utilize these increased funds to assist Medicaid providers in their response to COVID.
No group is more on the front lines than EMS. Although we are a tiny segment of the health care spend, with no relief, we could see EMS agencies laying off employees, reducing services or even closing down. This will have a ripple effect through the rest of the healthcare community.
We need to speak up now! Please contact your county judge, commissioners, state representatives and state senators.
We have to do what we can to ensure HHSC includes Medicaid add-on payments for EMS as they consider what to do with the increased Medicaid funds
Your Ask
Reach out to your state lawmakers, governor, and HHSC leadership to ask them to provide supplemental Medicaid payments to Texas EMS agencies for the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a state request.
|
