DEPARTMENT: SAFD
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
SUBJECT:
San Antonio Fire Department Medicare Emergency Treatment, Triage, and Transport (ET3) project
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing necessary agreements for the San Antonio Fire Department to participate in the Medicare Emergency Treatment, Triage, and Transport (ET3) project. Included are the Participation Agreement with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Treatment in Place program agreement with UT Health, and Alternative Destination agreements with WellMed, Texas Med Clinic, CareNow, ExpressMed, MedPost, and STRAC.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On February 27, 2020 the San Antonio Fire Department was selected, after participating in an extensive application process, to participate in the CMS ET3 program. The intent of the program is to offer Medicare Fee for Service (FFS) beneficiaries extended services in an effort to match the patient with the correct level of care. The ET3 model allows the Fire Department to transport less emergent patients to urgent care centers versus the hospital emergency department. It also allows for the Fire Department to originate a telemedicine visit for those patients that need medications or a higher level of medical advice, but do not necessitate treatment in a hospital. This program would allow the department to be compensated for these services.
The department has been working with urgent care partners, UT Health and STRAC to make this program possible San Antonio senior population who are Medicare FFS beneficiaries. The agreements for approval are necessary to commence the program. If the contracts are approved, the San Antonio Fire Department could begin the program in mid to late January 2021.
ISSUE:
An ordinance authorizing necessary agreements for the San Antonio Fire Department to participate in the Medicare Emergency Treatment, Triage, and Transport (ET3) project. Included are the Participation Agree...
Click here for full text