HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) announced he will convene a meeting of the EMS Task Force on Thursday, Feb. 15, starting at 6 p.m. at the McKean County Department of Emergency Services.

Anthony Martin, director of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services at the PA Department of Health, will attend to discuss efforts to support ambulance companies statewide.

“This is a great opportunity for our local EMS leaders to hear from Director Martin and share their concerns with the Department of Health,” Causer said. “While we are making progress on policies to support our emergency medical services providers, there is still much work to be done.”

Most recently, a new state law increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for ambulance companies across the state. Act 15 of 2023 ties the reimbursement rates to federal Medicare rates and pays whichever amount is higher. As a result, the reimbursement for basic life support ambulance trips increases from $325 to $511.35, and for advanced life support ambulance trips from $400 to $607.23 or $878.88, depending on the nature of the call. The reimbursement for paramedic intercept increases from $80 to $456.19.

The new law also ensures EMS agencies are reimbursed by Medicaid for 100% of the miles they travel with a patient on board receiving care or transport, finally removing the previous exemption for the first 20 miles traveled. The law increases the mileage reimbursement rate from $4 per loaded mile to $13.20 per loaded mile.

The lawmaker strongly encouraged local government officials to join the meeting, as they are critical to finding solutions to help keep emergency medical services up and running.

The McKean County Department of Emergency Services is located at 17175 U.S. Route 6, Smethport.

All who plan to attend should RSVP to Rhonda Race in Causer’s office at rrace@pahousegop.com.