Subject:
Title
Non-Institutional Medicaid Provider Agreement and Background Screening Provider User Registration Agreement by Agency for Health Care Administration to receive reimbursement for ambulance transports provided to Medicaid recipients.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator, as the authorized representative of the County, and the Financial Services Division Director, Safety & Emergency Services (SES), as the designated administrator of the Non-Institutional Medicaid Providers Agreement and Background Screening (BGS) Provider User Registration Agreement with the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).
• Signatures must be provided in accordance with AHCA requirements, including original (“wet”) signatures in blue ink from the County Administrator and the SES Financial Services Director.
• The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) requires an active Non-Institutional Medicaid Provider Agreement, which is good for five (5) years, to receive reimbursement for ambulance transport provided to Medicaid recipients.
• The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) requires an active Background Screening (BGS) Provider User Registration Agreement, which provides authorization for a background check of the designated administrator as listed on the Non-Institutional Medicaid Provider Agreement.
• The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) requires the County Administrator to Sign a “Special Exempt Entity Certification - Fingerprinting Exemption” Form.
• Current Non-Institutional Medicaid Provider Agreement expires April 05, 2026.
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Strategic Priorities:
Smart Service Delivery
4.2 Achieve and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
Summary:
The Florida Non-Institutional Medicaid Provider Agreement and Background Screening allows Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services d/b/a Sunstar EMS to receive reimbursement for ambulance transport provided to Medicaid recipients.
Background/Explanation:
Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), operating as Sunstar EMS, provides ambulance transportation services to Medicaid recipients. A core principle of Sunstar is prioritizing patient care, ensuring that all patients requesting service receive appropriate transport regardless of ability to pay. To receive reimbursement for ambulance transports provided to Medicaid recipients, Sunstar EMS must maintain an active provider agreement with the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), which administers Florida Medicaid. This agreement is subject to renewal every five (5) years. Per the expiration of Florida Medicaid Provider Agreement notice, the most recent agreement executed on March 12, 2021, expires on April 05, 2026.
Fiscal Impact:
Contract does not involve receipt or payment of funds. Agreement gives the County the legal certification to remain a Medicaid provider in the State of Florida. As an indirect fiscal impact, renewal will allow the County to earn revenue from billing Medicaid for patient transports for those patients who are covered under such health-plans. The amount per year will vary.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to execute the Agency for Health Care Administration Non-Institutional Medicaid Provider Agreement is granted under Pinellas County Code Section 2-62(a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
David Hare, Interim Bureau Director, Safety & Emergency Services Department
Partners:
Agency for Healthcare Administration
Attachments:
Agency for Health Care Administration Non-Institutional Medicaid Provider Agreement
Expiration of Florida Medicaid Provider Agreement
FY21 Executed Non-Institutional Medicaid Provider Agreement
Background Screening (BGS) Provider User Registration Agreement
Special Exempt Entity Certification - Fingerprinting Exemption