(a) To preserve and improve access to medical transportation services, for medical transportation services rendered on or after July 1, 2017, the Division of Medical Services of the Department of Human Services shall make emergency medical transportation access payments as set forth in this section.

(b) The division shall calculate the emergency medical transportation access payment amount as the balance of the Medical Transportation Assessment Account plus any federal matching funds earned on the balance, up to but not to exceed the upper payment limit gap for all medical transportation providers.

(c)

(1) Except as provided in § 20-77-2806, all medical transportation providers shall be eligible for emergency medical transportation access payments each state fiscal year as set forth in this subsection.

(2)

(A) In addition to any other funds paid to medical transportation providers for emergency medical services to Medicaid patients, each eligible medical transportation provider shall receive emergency medical transportation access payments each state fiscal year equal to the medical transportation provider's proportionate share of the total upper payment limit gap for all providers of emergency medical services.

(B) Emergency medical transportation access payments shall be made on a quarterly basis.

(C) In addition to other rules as the division determines are necessary to implement emergency medical transportation access payments, the division may create separate levels of assessments and emergency medical transportation access payments for ambulance services and air ambulance services.

(d) An emergency medical transportation access payment shall not be used to offset any other payment by Medicaid for emergency or nonemergency services to Medicaid beneficiaries.