CA AB55

Establishes a workforce adjustment payment for ground ambulance transport providers starting July 1, 2024, equal to 80% of the lowest federal Medicare maximum allowance minus the 2015-16 or 2022-23 fee-for-service payment amount, depending on emergency or nonemergency service.

Requires providers receiving the adjustment to meet workforce standards by paying certified dispatchers, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and registered nurses at specified minimum rates, with increases tied to federal Medicare allowance changes in subsequent years.

Mandates Medi-Cal managed care plans implement value-based purchasing models to reimburse network providers meeting workforce standards at rates including the workforce adjustment plus existing fee-for-service payments and add-ons.

Requires providers to certify under penalty of perjury at year-end that they met workforce standards, and authorizes the department to recoup payments with interest from non-compliant providers.

Implementation is conditional on federal approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and availability of federal financial participation.