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Department of Veterans Affairs Announces Extended Timely Filing Period for Claims Impacted by Change Healthcare Cyberattack
On August 22, 2024, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing an extension of the timely filing limits for claims impacted by the Change Healthcare cyberattack.
In February, Change Healthcare announced that it was the victim of a massive cyberattack. In response,
Change Healthcare proactively took down several of its online platforms, including its online claim submission platform. This platform is used by the VA to receive electronic claims. The VA indicated that this resulted in what it calls “limited or no ability” to receive electronic claims between February 21, 2024 and May 8, 2024 (referred to hereinafter as the “Limited Access Period”).
The current notice is intended to address problems with timely filing that resulted from that Limited Access Period. Specifically, the VA is announcing that claims that would have been considered timely had they been submitted during the Limited Access Period will continue to be treated as timely filed to the extent they are submitted on or before October 31, 2024.
Claims submitted after that date will not be considered timely filed, and will be denied.
Thus, the VA is effectively extending the timely filing period for VA claims through October 31, 2024. The VA expressly noted that this would include claims for transportation furnished to veterans with dates of service between February 21, 2022 and March 23, 2024. Note: the specific program under which ambulance transportation claims are being paid will determine the actual timely filing limits. The VA was simply noting the earliest and latest possible qualifying dates.
Therefore, if you have claims for ambulance services that were recently denied by the VA for lack of timely filing, the AAA encourages you to resubmit those claims to the VA under this extending timely filing period.
Read the complete announcement here.
First Responder Mental Health: How to Crush the Stigma
Finally, after years of avoidance, dismissal, fear of job loss and navigation through a pandemic mental healthcare has become the hot topic among first responders. After years of burnout, compassion fatigue, career changes and suicides there has been the realization that mental healthcare is just as important as physical healthcare.
9 Extreme Heat Safety Tips for Public Safety Personnel
Record setting heat is scorching the American west and putting tens of millions of people, as well as the public safety professionals who care for them, at risk of heat emergencies. Sustained high temperatures are dangerous for anyone working outdoors or living in a residence without air conditioning.
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About LAA
Founded in 1995, the Mission of the Louisiana Ambulance Alliance is:
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to promote emergency medical transport as a distinct concern in Louisiana;
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to serve as a forum for a unified voice for healthcare providers, public officials, healthcare workers, educators and consumers working to improve emergency medical transport in Louisiana;
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to provide a forum for the exchange and distribution of ideas and information related to the improvement of emergency medical transport;
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to serve as an advocate for emergency medical transport, promoting improved health status and improvements to the health system for residents of Louisiana; and
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to encourage the development of appropriate health resources for Louisiana.
Additionally, the Alliance recognizes Louisiana is unique and differs from other states in our geography, population mix and density, economic, lifestyles, values and social organization. Louisiana citizens and communities require programming and advocacy that responds to their unique characteristics and needs.
The Alliance represents ambulance services across Louisiana that participate in serving the citizens of Louisiana with emergency and nonemergency care and medical transportation services.
The Alliance is a diverse group of providers from communities, spread across the state of Louisiana – providers who care about improving and providing pre-hospital care in Louisiana – providers who reach hospitals, physicians and homes – providers who plan for the healthcare services provided in the towns and parishes – for individuals who need quality pre-hospital services within their reach.
Consider membership in the Louisiana Ambulance Alliance today! Seize the opportunity to leverage your resources with other EMS professionals and improve the EMS system in our state.