Section 182-546-0001. Definitions.

The following definitions and abbreviations, and those found in WAC 388-500-0005, apply to this chapter unless otherwise specified.

"Advanced life support (ALS)" means that level of care that calls for invasive emergency medical services requiring advanced medical treatment skills.

"Advanced life support (ALS) assessment" means an assessment performed by an ALS crew as part of an emergency response that was necessary because the client's reported condition at the time of dispatch was such that only an ALS crew was qualified to perform the assessment. An ALS assessment does not necessarily result in a determination that the client requires an ALS level of service.

"Advanced life support (ALS) intervention" means a procedure that is beyond the scope of care of an emergency medical technician (EMT).

"Aid vehicle" means a vehicle used to carry aid equipment and individuals trained in first aid or emergency medical procedures.

"Air ambulance" means a helicopter or airplane designed and used to provide transportation for the ill and injured, and to provide personnel, facilities, and equipment to treat clients before and during transportation. Air ambulance is considered an ALS service.

"Ambulance" means a ground or air vehicle designed and used to provide transportation to the ill and injured; and to provide personnel, facilities, and equipment to treat clients before and during transportation; and licensed per RCW 18.73.140.

"Base rate" means the medical assistance administration's (MAA) minimum payment amount per covered trip, which includes allowances for emergency medical personnel and their services, the costs of standing orders, reusable supplies and equipment, hardware, stretchers, oxygen and oxygen administration, intravenous supplies and IV administration, disposable supplies, normal waiting time, and the normal overhead costs of doing business. The base rate excludes mileage.

"Basic life support (BLS)" means that level of care that justifies ambulance transportation but requires only basic medical treatment skills. It does not include the need for or delivery of invasive medical procedures/services.

"Bed-confined" means the client is unable to perform all of the following actions:

(1) Get up from bed without assistance;

(2) Ambulate; and

(3) Sit in a chair or wheelchair.

"Bordering city hospital" means a licensed hospital in a designated bordering city (see WAC 388-501-0175).

"Broker" (see "transportation broker").

"Brokered transportation" means nonemergency transportation arranged by a broker, under contract with MAA, to or from covered medical services for an eligible client (also, see "transportation broker").

"By report" means a method of payment in which MAA determines the amount it will pay for a service that is covered but does not have an established maximum allowable fee. Providers must submit a report describing the nature, extent, time, effort, and/or equipment necessary to deliver the service.

"Emergency medical service" means medical treatment and care that may be rendered at the scene of any medical emergency or while transporting any client in an ambulance to an appropriate medical facility, including ambulance transportation between medical facilities.

"Emergency medical transportation" means ambulance transportation during which a client receives needed emergency medical services en route to an appropriate medical facility.

"Ground ambulance" means a ground vehicle (including a water ambulance) designed and used to provide transportation to the ill and injured and to provide personnel, facilities, and equipment to treat clients before and during transportation.

"Invasive procedure" means a medical intervention that intrudes on the client's person or breaks the skin barrier.

"Lift-off fee" means either of the two base rates MAA pays to air ambulance providers for transporting a client. MAA establishes separate lift-off fees for helicopters and airplanes.

"Loaded mileage" means the number of miles the client is transported in the ambulance vehicle.

"Medical control" means the medical authority upon whom an ambulance provider relies to coordinate prehospital emergency services, triage and trauma center assignment/destination for the person being transported. The medical control is designated in the trauma care plan by the approved medical program director of the region in which the service is provided.

"Nonemergency ambulance transportation" means the use of a ground ambulance to carry a client who may be confined to a stretcher but typically does not require the provision of emergency medical services en route, or the use of an air ambulance when prior authorized by MAA. Nonemergency ambulance transportation is usually scheduled or prearranged. See also "prone or supine transportation," and "scheduled transportation."

"Point of destination" means a facility generally equipped to provide the needed medical or nursing care for the injury, illness, symptoms, or complaint involved.

"Point of pickup" means the location of the client at the time he or she is placed on board the ambulance or transport vehicle.

"Prone or supine transportation" means transporting a client confined to a stretcher or gurney, with or without emergency medical services being provided en route.

"Scheduled transportation" means prearranged transportation for an eligible client, typically in a vehicle other than an ambulance, with no emergency medical services being required or provided en route to or from a covered medical service.

"Specialty care transport (SCT)" means interfacility transportation of a critically injured or ill client by a ground ambulance vehicle, including medically necessary supplies and services, at a level of service beyond the scope of the paramedic.

"Standing order" means an order remaining in effect indefinitely until canceled or modified by an approved medical program director (regional trauma system) or the ambulance provider's medical control.

"Transportation broker" means a person or organization contracted by MAA to arrange, coordinate and manage the provision of necessary but nonemergency transportation services for eligible clients to and from covered medical services.

"Trip" means transportation one-way from the point of pickup to the point of destination by an authorized transportation provider.

[WSR 11-14-075, recodified as § 182-546-0001, filed 6/30/11, effective 7/1/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and 74.09.510. WSR 04-17-118, § 388-546-0001, filed 8/17/04, effective 9/17/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.500, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, and 74.04.057. WSR 01-03-084, § 388-546-0001, filed 1/16/01, effective 2/16/01.]

WSR 11-14-075, recodified as § 182-546-0001, filed 6/30/11, effective 7/1/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and 74.09.510. WSR 04-17-118, § 388-546-0001, filed 8/17/04, effective 9/17/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.500, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, and 74.04.057. WSR 01-03-084, § 388-546-0001, filed 1/16/01, effective 2/16/01.

Rules

388-500-0005,388-501-0175,