- Medicaid Rate Reform: UNYAN has long been an advocate for Medicaid Rate Reform. In years past, we have prioritized this as our number-one issue during the Legislative session in Albany . Thanks to the hard work of UNYAN, the Legislature included in the 2005-2006 Budget an appropriation of two-million dollars for enhanced funding for emergency medical transportation services. This funding will be used to supplement the current Medicaid reimbursement rates for all emergency medical transportation service providers. We are enormously grateful that the Legislature has begun the process of helping to reform our Medicaid reimbursement rates. This was the first step on our efforts to secure significant and much-needed Medicaid Rate Reform.
- Statewide Emergency Disaster Response: UNYAN has developed a statewide emergency disaster response plan for response to disasters including September 11, 2001 in New York City, and prior to that the ice storms that devastated many areas in the northern part of our state. This plan, developed in cooperation with the New York State Department of Health, includes all UNYAN member companies and when activated can provide the Department of Health with an immediate response of both ALS and BLS ambulances with a single phone call. UNYAN coordinated a conference call with HCFA representatives for members to expedite reimbursement for our activities relative to the September 11, 2001 responses.
In 2005, this plan was activated when UNYAN members companies were called to assist and responded to the Gulf Coast for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The UNYAN contingent provided assistance in some of the most devastated areas of the Gulf Coast , with many services providing assistance for up to six weeks following the Hurricanes.
 Prudent Layperson Legislation: Working with our State Senators and Assembly members UNYAN developed legislation that requires health insurance companies to apply a prudent layperson standard to all claims for pre-hospital ambulance transportation when determining health insurance coverage. UNYAN was successful in getting this legislation passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Pataki in 2001. - Child Health Plus: Due to UNYAN's diligence and perseverance, pre-hospital ambulance service became a covered benefit in the Child Health Plus program starting on April 1, 2002, and insuring that children received this essential health coverage.
- Family Health Plus: Thanks to both UNYAN's strong voice in Albany and determination, when the Family Health Plus legislation became law in 2000, ambulance services benefit coverage was finally included.
- Medicare Problems: When the Upstate Medicare Division of Health Now arbitrarily began to deny over 80% of all non-emergency ambulance claims, UNYAN representatives worked with our Congressmen and Senators to bring it to their attention and get this problem resolved in a timely manner.
- Federal, State, and Local Recognition: Due to the active role that UNYAN has played at the local, state, and federal level, UNYAN is recognized as a key contact point for inquiries on pre-hospital issues. Each year we receive numerous requests for information and input on various EMS and ambulance issues from both legislators and representatives of other emergency service agencies.
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