Medical assistance payment raise increase for ambulance services

SF 1326 increases Minnesota's medical assistance payment rates for ambulance services. It raises rates by 5% effective July 1, 2016, for providers outside major metropolitan areas or in municipalities under 1,000 people, and by a specified percentage effective January 1, 2026, nationwide. The bill also creates a fuel adjustment mechanism: if gasoline prices exceed $3.00 per gallon, payments per mile adjust by 1% for every $0.10 change in the average Minnesota gasoline price. This directly affects ambulance service providers in rural or small-town areas and requires managed care plans to adjust payments accordingly. The changes aim to align reimbursement with operational costs like fuel expenses.