09 LC 33
2822
House
Bill 363
By:
Representative Stephens of the
164th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Article 5 of Chapter 11 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission, so as to add
a definition; to revise certain provisions relating to funding priorities of the
commission; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for
other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Article
5 of Chapter 11 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission, is amended by revising Code
Section 31-11-100, relating to definitions, as follows:
"31-11-100.
As
used in this article, the term:
(1)
'Burn trauma physician practice' means a physician group practice which includes
a trauma surgeon, an orthopedic surgeon, a neurosurgeon, an intensive care unit
physician, an anesthesiologist, an emergency care physician, or a physician
assistant who provides burn trauma care.
(1)(2)
'Trauma center' means a facility designated by the Department of Human Resources
as a Level I, II, III, or IV trauma center.
(2)(3)
'Trauma patient' means a patient who is on the State Trauma Registry or the
National Trauma Registry of the American College of Surgeons.
(3)(4)
'Trauma service codes' means the ICDA-9-CM discharge codes designated as trauma
service codes by the American College of Surgeons, Committee on
Trauma.
(4)(5)
'Uncompensated' means care provided by a designated trauma center, emergency
medical services provider,
burn trauma
physician practice, or physician to a
trauma patient as defined by the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission
who:
(A)
Has no medical insurance, including federal Medicare Part B
coverage;
(B)
Is not eligible for medical assistance coverage;
(C)
Has no medical coverage for trauma care through workers' compensation,
automobile insurance, or any other third party, including any settlement or
judgment resulting from such coverage; and
(D)
Has not paid for the trauma care provided by the trauma provider after
documented attempts by the trauma care services provider to collect
payment."
SECTION
2.
Said
article is further amended by revising paragraph (2) of Code
Section 31-11-102, relating to the duties and responsibilities of the
commission, as follows:
"(2)
For the first two fiscal years in which funds are appropriated to the commission
for distribution, to distribute such funds in the following areas with the
priority for distribution to be set by majority vote of the
commission:
(A)
Physician uncompensated trauma care services provided in designated trauma
centers or a
burn trauma physician
practice;
(B)
Emergency medical service uncompensated trauma care services provided to
patients transported to designated trauma centers;
(C)
Uncompensated trauma care services of designated trauma centers;
(D)
Trauma care readiness costs for designated or certified trauma care service
providers; and
(E)
Trauma care service start-up costs for providers seeking a trauma care
designation or certification.
The
commission shall adopt a formula that prioritizes the distribution of state
appropriated funds that may be implemented during the third state fiscal year in
which funds are appropriated to the commission for distribution. Such formula
shall be evaluated and modified, if needed, every two years
thereafter;"
SECTION
3.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.