SF3510

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.