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The new Medicare Fee Schedule was implemented April 01, 2002. Last minute <br />revisions by the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid (Health Care Financing <br />Administration) have lessened the impact to our projections of reimbursement <br />amounts from Medicare. Examples of the revisions include recognition of the <br />increased cost of readiness by expanding definitions of types of calls, <br />interventions used, and medications administered. <br />Therefore, cautious optimism is appropriate in that the revenue projections for <br />the 2001-02 fiscal year can be met. All of this depends on Trailblazers (Medicare <br />Carrier) ability to program and configure their computer system, train and <br />educate personnel in order implement the Fee Schedule in a timely manner. <br />Future negative changes in payment allowables are possible but not expected <br />at this time. <br />Paris EMS Billing/Administration staff is scheduled to attend training with <br />Trailblazer staff on May 30, 2002. The billing staff is in contact with Trailblazer <br />representatives on a consistent basis to ensure compliance with the new policies <br />while maximizing revenues. <br />AITACHMENTS: <br />The following attachments are made available as information to help foster <br />understanding of the contractual arrangement between the City of Paris and <br />Lamar County regarding the countywide emergency medical system. <br />As reflected in the news articles included in the attachments, the situation of <br />declining revenues is not unique or exclusive to our area. Nationwide EMS <br />providers are reacting to this situation either by decreasing readiness, reducing <br />capacity or increasing cost-sharing or a combination of all alternatives. See, for <br />example, the information in the attachments about the difficulties Grayson <br />County and Fannin County have encountered in merely retaining some kind of <br />ambulance service much less a long-term, quality ambulance provider. <br />Paris EMS is not advocating any of the above alternatives. Paris EMS is not <br />reducing readiness or capacity. Paris EMS is not increasing the cost-sharing <br />price. Paris EMS will continually strive to control costs while increasing revenues <br />through internal efficiencies and diligent billing strategies. <br />3 <br />