QMC EMS | Board & Collar

  Last week, the United States Congress passed the American Rescue Plan legislation.  This $1.9 trillion package has some potential game-changing implications for the ambulance industry.  Check out what this legislation entails (or doesn't entail) and how it may affect your organization during the remaining days of the pandemic.    Presenter:  Chuck Humphrey and Gary Harvat      

  What is an 1135 Waiver?  This COVID-19 Pandemic has dropped some interesting questions into our billing company lap.  In this episode, we talk about the philosophy behind one of the blanket waivers and provide some practical application steps that every billing office should take before moving forward.  Take a breath, pump the breaks and give a listen to this timely subject matter.  We're glad you're here.  Presenter:  Chuck Humphrey      

  Do you remember applying for and receiving the Medicare Accelerated Payment triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic?  Well, for most of you it’s been almost 1 year from the day that you received the advance.  Now, the government wants their money back!  In this edition of the QMC EMS Board and Collar podcast we take a quick look at what the repayment process looks like and what you, as an ambulance administrator, can expect to happen next.  PLUS!  There’s some late breaking potentially good news for the ambulance industry within the walls of the U.S. Senate Chambers.  You’ll want to be sure to listen to the end of our broadcast when we share what we know today.  We pack a lot of STUFF into this roughly 9-minute episode…so download it now.  Don’t miss it!!  Presenter:  Chuck Humphrey      

  EMS is a relatively young profession and some of the challenges faced by our community today are “old world problems” for many of our peers around the healthcare and public safety sectors. As the early leaders in our profession approach their golden years, the question of future leadership looms large as we face substantial clinical, operational, and financial challenges. As a community, we pride ourselves on preparation and planning, along with the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. It is the nature of our work.  Presenter:  Ed Marasco       

Welcome to the February 2021 edition of Excuse My Medic (EM2).  We have a great show for this month's segment and to boot, a guest presenter joining our team this time around to discuss new legislation in the State of Georgia that may affect our industry as it relates to surprise ambulance billing.  Yes, it's in Georgia for the moment but pay close attention as the matter is being closely scrutinized across the country.  Our thanks to Adam Patterson for detailing this for us.  Also, along the way tune in for News of the EMS Offbeat as we have a couple of stories along with our EMS Word of the Day that will have you shaking your head and laughing at the banter. All in all, a great segment and we're glad you chose to join the three old EMS guys for this round of Excuse My Medic.   Your Hosts:  Chuck Humphrey, Ed Marasco and Gary Harvat

Welcome to QMC's 10Q30 EMS Leadership profile.  This month, we are featuring the leadership team from Bellmore-Merrick EMS based in Long Island, NY.  Tune in to hear their take on how Bellmore-Merrick leadership is addressing many issues in their service area which are also affecting EMS nationwide.  Bellmore-Merrick is New York State's Ambulance Service of the year and getting there was not an easy task for them over the years. Hear about their challenges and innovations that have taken place within this organization that has led them to be the standout agency they are today.  Ten Questions in 30 Minutes...you won't be disappointed.  Download this great episode today!  Your Host:  Gary Harvat        

  Two of the biggest studies to impact EMS have been interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  In this episode we’ll talk about how the pandemic put a pause on ET3 and Cost Data Collection, dig into what’s good and bad about the interruptions, plus complain about bad decisions in Washington.   Presenter:  Chuck Humphrey       

  Join Paul Furiga, President and Chief Storyteller from WordWrite (www.wordwritepr.com), based in Pittsburgh, PA.,  as he discusses the important elements you should consider in promoting your EMS organization.  Paul shares a wealth of information from his deeply-detailed background in public relations and provides great food for thought. This informative episode should prove quite useful given the challenges that EMS constantly faces in justifying and promoting their organization to the communities they serve. Don't miss out on this great Board & Collar offering folks.        Presenter:  Paul Furiga and Gary Harvat (Moderator)      

Welcome to the December 2020 edition of Excuse My Medic (EM2).  Lots happening in our EMS world at present including a vaccine that will hopefully, save millions of lives and make our life in the street a bit easier.  Additionally, we will explore new information on a proposed compromise legislation for  surprise ambulance billing currently under Congressional review. Stick around for the fun-filled EMS Word of the Day as well as several offbeat EMS stories for some grins along the way.  Lots of holiday laughs and great information.  Stick around and tune in.     Your Hosts:  Chuck Humphrey, Ed Marasco and Gary Harvat

  Well, it's here and let's hope there's a shining light at the end of the tunnel.  The first COVID-19 immunization has been approved, shipped and now being administered to the front line.  Are you making this mandatory with people from your organization?  Are you considering serving as a mass immunizer in your community. Lots of things to consider here so tune in and here the latest from the guys at QMC who keep their ears close to the pulse of this well needed, shot in the arm.    Presenter:  Chuck Humphrey         

  Pause.  Reflect.  Give Thanks.  Our thoughts for those of you on the front lines this Thanksgiving 2020.  One to remember but still much to be thankful for today, tomorrow and for years to come.    Presenter:  Chuck Humphrey         

Welcome to the November 2020 edition of Excuse My Medic (EM2).  We've got a program that you will be telling your grandkids and neighbors about for years to come, trust me.  Joining us for this episode is our good friend Steve Wirth from the National EMS Law Firm of Page, Wolfberg & Wirth, LLC. Steve joins us to discuss something near and dear to every EMS professional...documentation.  Steve reviews the Top Ten (a la Late Night with David Letterman) documentation errors that he has seen over his years.  Don't miss Steve's talk along with some backseat banter from the EM2 regulars. You're gonna like this, guaranteed.  We also have Positive EMS as well as the EMS Word of the Day and Offbeat EMS Stories.  So, tune in for some great information and fun along the way.  We have to keep laughing folks and EM2 is your prescription.   Your Hosts:  Chuck Humphrey, Ed Marasco and Gary HarvatSpecial Guest:  Steve Wirth, Esq.  

  It’s not a new bicycle, video game or even a Barbie doll…but to the ambulance industry the announcement of the Ambulance Inflation Factor (AIF) is typically an early Christmas gift for us!  If you’re an ambulance billing geek, it’s time to unwrap this present as we roll out the 2021 Medicare Fee Schedule adjustment to you in this edition of the QMC EMS Board & Collar Podcast!    Presenter:  Chuck Humphrey         

  There is good news for the EMS industry on the pandemic front.  Repayment of the Accelerated/Advance Medicare payments has been delayed.  Wait, something that actually benefits EMS? Goodness, how did this happen? Who cares, but we will take it.   Download this episode to find out the details!    Presenter:  Chuck Humphrey         

  There a number of perfect storms colliding in the EMS industry right now and you need to be in the loop for the betterment of your organization.  These include updates on:  ET3, CARES Stimulus Reporting, Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program, Prior Authorization for Repetitive Patients and more. Come along as we jam 10 pounds into a 5 pound bag.  Moderator:  Gary Harvat | Presenter:  Chuck Humphrey