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SF3510 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Rural EMS uncompensated care pool payment program establishment and appropriation

Related bill: HF696

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to support emergency medical services (EMS) in rural areas of Minnesota by establishing a program that provides financial compensation for uncompensated care. This program seeks to assist rural EMS providers who deliver services without receiving payment.

Main Provisions

  • Rural EMS Uncompensated Care Pool Payment Program: The bill establishes a program where the Director of Emergency Medical Services will provide payments to eligible rural EMS licensees. The program addresses financial shortfalls experienced by these providers when they respond to emergencies without receiving payment.

  • Eligibility for Payments: The bill specifies that eligible EMS providers are those working in non-metropolitan areas and hold a relevant ambulance service license. Responses qualifying for compensation must meet certain criteria, such as being initiated by an emergency call but not resulting in patient transport to a hospital.

  • Exclusion: Specialized life support responses are excluded from the payment calculations.

  • Application Process: EMS providers must apply by March 31, 2026, outlining the number of eligible EMS responses completed within the year 2025.

  • Payment Calculation: Points are awarded to EMS providers based on the number of eligible responses, with decreasing points awarded as the number of responses increases. Total points determine the payment amount per response, proportionate to the total appropriation for the program.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • This bill introduces a new program specifically aimed at rural areas to financially support EMS providers handling uncompensated emergencies. There is no existing law that directly provides a structured payment plan for such uncompensated services in rural areas of Minnesota, making this a significant addition to financial support frameworks for rural EMS providers.

Relevant Terms

rural EMS, uncompensated care, ambulance services, emergency medical services, payment program, financial support, non-metropolitan, emergency response, appropriation.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
May 11, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
May 11, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
May 11, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toHealth and Human Services

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A new program direction established for uncompensated care pool payments."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Definition of the term 'Director' as provided under section 144E.001, subdivision 1.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "144E.001",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Exclusion criteria based on geographical service provision."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Relates to designation of metropolitan counties mentioned in pre-existing section 473.121, subdivision 4.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "473.121",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Conditions for eligible licensee elaborated for payment criteria."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Provides the definition of 'Licensee' as found in section 144E.001, subdivision 8.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "144E.001",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 8"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Utilizes existing definition to determine eligible EMS responses."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Definition of 'Public safety answering point' given in section 403.02, subdivision 19.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "403.02",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 19"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Excludes certain responses from payment calculations."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Specialized life support services as detailed in Minnesota Statutes section 144E.101, subdivision 9.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "144E.101",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 9"
  }
]

Sponsors