MT HB56

Establishes a 5.75% assessment fee on net operating revenues of private ground ambulance providers, excluding air ambulance services, public ambulance providers, and federally-operated entities

Creates the Ambulance Medicaid Reimbursement Special Revenue Account to fund increased Medicaid payments to ambulance providers up to average commercial rates, with payments due by September 30 each year

Appropriates $637,828 from the general fund for start-up costs plus $131,000 annually for personal services to the Department of Revenue for implementation and administration

Requires ambulance providers to file annual reports by June 30 with payment, maintain records for 5 years, and subjects them to audits, penalties, and interest for noncompliance

Takes effect contingent on federal approval from CMS and terminates June 30, 2033, or if federal law changes to disallow the assessment fee as the state's Medicaid matching share