Washington AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION
Washington’s frontline care providers.
About us
The Washington Ambulance Association, founded in 1956, is a professional advocacy group for medical transportation providers in the state of Washington. We provide a forum for ground and air ambulance services to discuss issues, share information and collaborate for improvement to provide the highest quality prehospital care and emergency transportation to those we serve. Additionally, the Association designs and implements strategic initiatives to promote sustainable reimbursement for services provided through sponsorship and promotion of legislation.
Washington’s frontline care
providers.
We are here for you, 24/7
Mission
Our mission is to advocate the highest quality patient care through ethical and sound business practices, advancing the interests of its members in important legislative, educational, regulatory and reimbursement issues.
Who are WAA Members?
Association members include 23 emergency transportation service providers serving people across metropolitan and rural communities in Washington state. These ambulance services, staffed by highly trained EMTs, paramedics, and nurses, stand at the ready to provide lifesaving emergency medical care from any location, and to safely transport patients to definitive care in their time of crisis. Emergency medical services are a lifeline to specialty care for communities across the state, especially in rural areas. Our members provide lifesaving patient care through a variety of transport methods including Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support, Critical Care Transport, and air medical transport.
75%
of 911 calls in our state are responded to by WAA members
30%
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10%
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Challenges facing our industry
As EMS is not a designated essential service in the state of Washington and does not receive annual state funding, our industry depends on adequate, timely, and sustainable reimbursement to maintain the state of readiness expected from the communities we serve. When an emergency arises, you expect someone to come and failing to respond is not an option.
The EMS industry faces many challenges due to lack of funding, exacerbated by the pandemic, and a shrinking workforce. Insurers often do not cover the cost of services provided, citing out-of-network status with the provider, and opting to pass along the remaining cost of service to you. We understand that in your time of crisis, the last thing you need to be worried about is a surprise lack of insurance coverage.
What is WAA doing to help?
Protecting Patients
We believe that caring for patients is more than just clinical care. It’s also advocacy for the patient throughout the billing process. WAA members are committed to working alongside insurers and adjacent providers to find pathways toward in-network agreements and adequate reimbursement that will protect patients. No one should have to choose between lifesaving care and their ability to pay.
Protecting Access to Emergency Medical Services
We are committed to protecting access to lifesaving emergency services for the people of Washington state. We are currently working to improve sustainability for Washington’s ambulance providers by advocating for fair and timely reimbursement from insurers and increased state funding to pay for things like lifesaving medical and transport equipment, advanced training for employees, recruiting, and community outreach.
Advocating for Washington’s EMS Industry
The WAA is committed to maintaining a durable and sustainable emergency medical service industry across the state. Our team will be engaged with elected officials and monitoring draft legislation throughout the coming legislative session to ensure that the voices of our members are heard.