DAR File No. 40427

Health, Family Health and Preparedness, Emergency Medical Services

Section R426-3-600

Cost, Quality, and Access Goals for Ground Ambulance Providers

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 40427
Filed: 05/13/2016 08:55:37 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The purpose of this amendment is to update the licensing requirements for cost, quality, and access goals.

Summary of the rule or change:

Clarification of requirements for establishing cost, quality, and access goals for Emergency Medical Services.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Title 26, Chapter 8a

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There is no effect on state budget. This amendment makes no changes to the administrative costs. No additional work or state requirements are mandated.

local governments:

Fiscal impacts should be minimal. Administrative time will be required to establish cost, quality, and access goals. These amendments do not increase current requirements.

small businesses:

Fiscal impacts should be minimal. Administrative time will be required to establish cost, quality, and access goals. These amendments do not increase current requirements.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

Fiscal impacts should be minimal. Administrative time will be required to establish cost, quality, and access goals. These amendments do not increase current requirements.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

The cost, quality, and access goals may establish lower or higher costs depending on the decisions made by local governments. These amendments do not increase current requirements.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

There may be a slight fiscal impact to business as a result of the administrative time of EMS providers to track the establishment of the goals but there are no additional requirements.

Joseph Miner, MD, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Health
Family Health and Preparedness, Emergency Medical Services
3760 S HIGHLAND DR
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84106

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Guy Dansie at the above address, by phone at 801-273-6671, by FAX at 801-273-4165, or by Internet E-mail at gdansie@utah.gov

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

07/01/2016

This rule may become effective on:

07/08/2016

Authorized by:

Joseph Miner, Executive Director

R426. Health, Family Health and Preparedness, Emergency Medical Services.

R426-3. Licensure.

R426-3-600. Cost, Quality, and Access Goals for Ground Ambulance Providers.

(1) A local government shall establish emergency medical service goals pursuant to Title 26-8a-408(7).

[(2) Cost, quality and access goals should be reviewed by the local government and the licensed ground ambulance provider every two years, and shall be submitted to the Department as part of the re-licensing application every four years.]

(2) Goals shall be renewed every four years in concurrence with the licensure process for the EMS licensed ground ambulance provider. All local governments in a licensed service area are required to participate.

(3) Goals may be amended, if necessary, due to:

(a) unforeseen changes in service delivery,

(b) community impacts, or

(c) significant unforeseen impact in the geographical service area.

(4) Goals shall be written, approved by local governments, and submitted to the Department with licensure and re-licensure application by the EMS licensed ground ambulance provider for the geographical service area.

[(5) Cost and revenues for goals may include the following:

(a) all forecasted costs involved in the provision of ambulance services in the geographical service area, which may include:

(i) expenses for equipment,

(ii) personnel,

(iii) maintenance,

(iv) facilities,

(v) insurance,

(vi) taxes, and

(vii) dispatching fees;

(b) all forecasted revenues involved in the provision of ambulance services in the geographical service area, which may include:

(i) Department approved rates charged to patients,

(ii) reimbursements,

(iii) local funds,

(iv) Department grants,

(v) outside grants,

(vi) gifts, and

(vii) related subsidies.

(6) Quality goals may include the following:

(a) appropriate licensure service levels rationale,

(b) local medical direction,

(c) coordination improvement with designated emergency medical dispatch,

(d) appropriate patient destinations,

(e) quality assurance process,

(f) recruitment plans,

(g) retention plans,

(h) training of response personnel, and

(i) accreditation.

(7) Access goals may include the following:

(a) quantity of permitted vehicles available,

(b) response times,

(c) numbers and availability of response personnel,

(d) mutual aid agreements, and

(e) planning for stand-by events requiring an ambulance on scene such as:

(i) mass gatherings,

(ii) sporting events,

(iii) commercial,

(iv) any special event, or

(v) disaster response planning and participation in disaster response exercises.]

(5) Local governments may choose to recognize EMS providers who have achieved accreditation by a Department approved accreditation organization as meeting the cost, quality, and access goals.

(6) Cost goals shall indicate the expected financial cost to the local government(s) and patients for the level of service provided.

(7) Quality goals shall indicate the expected level of service plus any additional foreseen improvements or advancements in service expectations.

(8) Access goals shall indicate the local government's expectation for access to the EMS system by any individual within the local government's geographic area.

 

KEY: emergency medical services, licensure

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [September 24,]2016

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 26-8a