Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action to approve Revised Williamson County EMS Financial Hardship Assistance Policy to meet new reimbursement guidelines, including granting Williamson County EMS Department Director or designee the delegated authority to make necessary managerial or administrative adjustments related to participation in this program going forward to enhance reimbursements and support operations.  

Williamson County EMS participates in the Texas Ambulance Services Supplemental Payment Program. In October 2019 new rules required participating ambulance providers to have an approved financial hardship/charity care policy and process to screen accounts based on guidelines from Healthcare Financial Management Association. The Williamson County EMS Financial Hardship Policy was approved and effective October 1, 2019. The approval of the policy allows Williamson County EMS to continue to participate in the Texas Ambulance Supplemental Payment Program. This policy will only be in effect as long as Williamson County EMS participates in the program. The purpose of the revised policy is to add automatic adjustment of annual Federal Poverty Guidelines, and inclusion of non-covered services provided to Medicaid patients and capture of non-responsive hardship applicants.