Abstract
The National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) believes that emergency medical services (EMS) response, care, and transport should be fairly reimbursed based on the prudent layperson standard. This paper is the official position of the NAEMSP. Key words: EMS; reimbursement; medical care; position statement; NAEMSP
The National Association of EMS Physicians believes that:
When callers access 9-1-1 (or a similar emergency call center) requesting emergency medical response, third-party payers—including federal and state programs, their agents, and private insurers—should provide fair and reasonable reimbursement for those services.
Retrospective determination that a transport was not medically necessary should not result in denial of payment. Payment for 9-1-1 emergency response should be based on the prudent layperson standard.
When emergency medical services (EMS) systems that possess adequate educational, medical direction, and quality improvement resources choose to implement EMS-initiated nontransport policies (including, but not limited to, treat-and-release protocols, termination of resuscitation, or on-site care for mass gatherings), third-party payers should consider the relative cost savings associated with providing on-scene care without subsequent transport, and provide fair and reasonable reimbursement for those services.
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