Rural Health
News by Topic: Emergency medical services
Dec 12, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking comments on proposed recordkeeping regulations for emergency medical services (EMS) agencies that handle controlled substances. The Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017 amended the Controlled Substances Act to allow for a new registration category for emergency medical services agencies that handle controlled substances. Among other things, the proposed regulations would require an EMS agency to maintain records for each controlled substance administered or disposed of while providing emergency medical services. Comments are due by January 13, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 9, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing: 1) changes to the Physician Fee Schedule and Medicare Part B payment policies; 2) policies for the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate program under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; 3) updates to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program expanded model; 4) payment for dental services inextricably linked to specific covered medical services; 5) updates to drugs and biological products paid under Part B including immunosuppressive drugs and clotting factors; 6) Medicare Shared Savings Program requirements; 7) updates to the Quality Payment Program; 8) Medicare coverage of opioid use disorder services furnished by opioid treatment programs; 9) updates to policies for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs); 10) electronic prescribing for controlled substances for a covered Part D drug under a prescription drug plan or an MA-PD plan; 11) updates to the Ambulance Fee Schedule regulations; 12) updates to Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule regulations; 13) updates to the diabetes payment structure and COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) flexibilities; 14) expansion of colorectal cancer screening and Hepatitis B vaccine coverage and payment; 15) establishing payment for drugs covered as additional preventive services; and 16) Medicare Parts A and B Overpayment Provisions of the Affordable Care Act and Medicare Parts C and D Overpayment Provisions of the Affordable Care Act. These regulations are effective January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
FRNA: Public Combined Board and Board Committees Meeting
Federal Register
Dec 3, 2024 - Notice from the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) announcing a public meeting of the FirstNet Authority Board and Board Committees on December 11, 2024, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Mountain. An agenda will be published on the FirstNet Authority website. Public attendance will be available online only.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 27, 2024 - An analysis of roadway accidents found that drivers in rural Arkansas counties died at higher rates than urban ones between 2016 and 2022. Notes potential reasons for the disparity including higher speeds, farm equipment, and longer emergency response times. Discusses the implications for holiday travel and other disparities related to driver demographics, crash causes, and safety equipment use.
Source: Arkansas Advocate
Nov 25, 2024 - Describes the work of clinicians deployed to rural
communities by the North Carolina Office of Emergency
Medical Services (NCEMS) in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
Discusses the challenges faced by providers staffing the
temporary sites, including flooded roads and limited
electricity. Notes the wide range of services that were
offered at the sites, from wound care to replacing
medications that were lost in the storm.
Source: North Carolina Health News
Nov 19, 2024 - A Des Moines, Iowa area hospital is using a helicopter service to reach pregnant women in need of emergency specialized care. The program is offered statewide, particularly in areas with few or no obstetricians, in response to a shortage of maternity care in Iowa.
Source: KCRG
NHTSA, DOT: National Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council Notice of Public Meeting
Federal Register
Oct 21, 2024 - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will hold a public meeting of the National Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council (NEMSAC) on November 6-7, 2024. Agenda items will include informational sessions, updates on NHTSA initiatives, subcommittee reports, and strategic planning. The agenda and instructions on how to register for the meeting will be posted on the NEMSAC section of the NHTSA Office of EMS website at least one week before the meeting. Pre-registration is required.
Source: Federal Register