Emmer warns that interim rule could harm air medical transport in Minnesota

U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) is urging the Biden administration to revise an interim final rule regarding implementation of the No Surprises Act, a law that addresses surprise medical billing because it could threaten emergency air medical transport services in his home state of Minnesota.

In an Oct. 28 letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Rep. Emmer expressed concern that the recent release of the interim final rule for Section 102 of the No Surprises Act could jeopardize emergency air medical transport services like those provided by Life Link III in Minnesota.

“Emergency air medical transport is a necessary and life-saving service. Any threat to its availability could mean life or death for Americans across the country,” Rep. Emmer said. “The Biden Administration has set forth broad standards in their proposed coverage rule that will make the reimbursement process for air ambulatory services unpredictable and hinder the ability of companies, like Life Link III in Minnesota, to offer these services to the American people.”

Life Link III is the largest air medical consortium in the United States.

The congressman explained that Life Link III’s services could be hindered by the interim final rule’s changes to the qualifying payment amount (QPA), which establishes insurance reimbursement for air medical services. He stated in the letter that there is currently no credible database with sufficient data specific to air ambulatory services for insurers to access to determine the QPA.

“Specifically, the lack of a credible database for these services to measure reimbursement rates will be catastrophic for the industry, leading to fewer emergency air medical transport services. In addition, individuals who require these services will be left navigating a cumbersome insurance claims process when coverage is inevitably denied for this life-saving service,” Rep. Emmer said.

“I am urging the Biden Administration to revise this decision and ensure the rule respects the intent of Congress and preserves access to air emergency medical transport services,” Rep. Emmer added.