2023 Maryland Statutes › Health - General › Title 15 - Assistance Programs › Subtitle 1 - Medical and Pharmacy Assistance Programs › Section 15-114.1 - Emergency Service Transporters

(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)    “Emergency medical services provider” has the meaning stated in § 13–561 of the Education Article.
(3)    “Emergency service transporter” means a public entity or volunteer fire, rescue, or emergency medical service that provides emergency medical services.
(4)    “Low–acuity health condition” means an illness, an injury, or a condition serious enough that a reasonable person would seek care immediately, but not so severe as to require emergency room care.
(5)    “Mobile integrated health service” means a community–based preventive, primary, chronic, preadmission, or postadmission health care service or transport provided by an emergency medical services provider to an individual.
(b)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, if an emergency service transporter charges for its services and requests reimbursement from the Program, the Department shall reimburse the emergency service transporter, in an amount as specified by regulations adopted by the Department, for the cost of:
(i)    Transportation the emergency service transporter provides to a Program recipient to a facility in response to a 911 call; and
(ii)    Medical services the emergency service transporter provides to the Program recipient in response to a 911 call.
(2)    The Department shall:
(i)    Increase the amount of reimbursement authorized under paragraph (1) of this subsection for the cost of transportation and medical services by $50 in fiscal year 2023; and
(ii)    Pay at least the amount established under item (i) of this paragraph in each subsequent fiscal year.
(c)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, the Department shall reimburse an emergency service transporter for mobile integrated health services provided to a Program recipient in an amount as specified by regulations adopted by the Department that is at least $100 per interaction.
(2)    The services subject to reimbursement under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include:
(i)    Health care services, including health assessments, remote medical diagnostics, chronic disease monitoring and education, medication compliance, immunizations and vaccinations, laboratory specimen collection, hospital discharge follow–up care, and minor medical procedures, provided by an emergency medical services provider that are:
1.    Within the scope of practice of the emergency medical services provider;
2.    Provided in a home or another community–based setting to a Program recipient who does not require emergency medical transport; and
3.    Consistent with the protocols issued by the Emergency Medical Services Board; and
(ii)    Transportation provided by the emergency service transporter to a Program recipient with a low–acuity health condition to a location in which urgent health care services are provided to individuals.
(3)    The Department shall:
(i)    Increase the amount of reimbursement authorized under paragraph (1) of this subsection for the cost of transportation and medical services by $50 in fiscal year 2023; and
(ii)    Pay at least the amount established under item (i) of this paragraph in each subsequent fiscal year.
(d)    The Department shall adopt any regulations necessary to carry out this section.