The Abaris Group Announces New Online Newsletter

The Abaris Group, based in Walnut Creek, CA, has released the first issue of its online newsletter, The TAG Line. The bimonthly newsletter will provide news and analysis for the emergency care field.

"The goal of the newsletter is to keep people informed of recent emergency services news, regulatory changes, recently published studies, new best-practice strategies and more," says Abaris research associate Jonathan Wills. "The newsletter is free to anyone who goes to our website. People can sign up to receive an update when it's posted online and can then view it, download it and print it."

"This newsletter is something we think is filling a gap," adds Abaris' owner Mike Williams. "We have been periodically pushing news bulletins of the most urgent matters that we think are relevant to the industry, and we had so much interest we realized we ought to be packaging some of this. With accessibility of the Internet and the ability to get information out quickly, it all came together in what we think is a good representation of our firm and the service we're trying to create. We have a cadre of resources that includes EMS experts, physicians, nurses and others, and they are likely to contribute in future editions on relevant topics."

Topics covered in the first issue included: ED overcrowding and the healthcare safety net; new Medicare legislation's emergency healthcare impact; insured patients' effect on ED volume; report of California trauma patients being undertriaged and The Abaris Group's new Ambulance Industry Report. Future issues will explore topics ranging from nursing ratios to system design to improving reimbursement.

"One of the big issues we're watching closely is the change in Medicare regulations and statutes that affect both prehospital and hospital services in the emergency care arena," says Williams. "Coming down the pike in particular is reimbursement for indigent care to undocumented aliens. A large amount of money has been appropriated, but not yet allocated, and we're waiting for those stipulations. The existing statute under the new Medicare Pharmaceutical Act does not preclude ambulances from receiving that money, so we have a chance to learn more about what will be included and what standards will be set."

Other upcoming articles will include information on rural providers and rural mileage, extending the start-up of the Medicare fee schedule, and more on ED diversions, says Williams.

"We get a lot of hits on our website about diversion strategies," he adds, "so we're studying that closely. For example, Las Vegas just announced that they're going to try no diversion. That's important news, because they're one of the most diverted communities in the country."

To view the first edition of The TAG Line, visit https://abarisgroup.com/files/TAGLine1.pdf. For subscription information, e-mail subscriptions@abarisgroup.com.

-MN