By Joe Covelli, PAAW Executive Director
At its January 8th board of directors meeting, the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin approved its 2015 – 2017 strategic work plan. The plan was developed on December 1, 2014 when association members, staff, consultants, and invited guests attended the all-day meeting.
The top priority calls for continuing to build momentum gained last year and introduce legislation in the current session to expand TRIP – Taxpayer Refund Intercept Program. Currently, only municipal ambulance services can access TRIP and file with the state to collect unpaid transport bills from the patient’s tax refund. PAAW is working with legislators to introduce legislation that allow ambulance services contracted by a municipality to provide 911 services the same TRIP collection benefits for unpaid patient transports. The reception by legislators to the idea has been favorable.
Additional items in the strategic work plan include community paramedicine, Medicaid reimbursement rates, ongoing communications, member growth, and advancing EMS leader networking opportunities. The Wisconsin Stars of Life Awards Program will change to an every other year event, with the next one being held in September 2015, and one honoree from the group advancing to the national Stars of Life in Washington D.C. in March 2016.
