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What does 2025 portend for EMS nationally?

By Bruce Evans, MPA, CFO, NRP
Chief, Upper Pine River Fire Protection District
Past President, National Association of EMTs (NAEMT)
 

The federal EMS on the Hill Day is approaching and there is a major shift in all things government that influence EMS, from billing to grant funding and, possibly, regulatory oversight.

Starting first with the Medicare extenders.  For those not familiar with it, EMS providers have been paid a Medicare extender bonus.  House Bill 10545 passed by the US Senate and the House of Representatives extended the temporary Medicare ambulance add-on payments of 2% urban, 3% rural and 22.6% super rural through March 31, 2025.  Most ambulance operations have a payer mix of at least one-fourth or more that are Medicare patients.  Colorado’s rural ambulance services stand to lose 22% of their reimbursement.

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US representatives introduce bill to pay for in-home EMS calls

Five US representatives introduce bill to pay for Treatment-In-Place EMS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 10, 2024, Representatives Mike Carey (OH-15), Lloyd Doggett (TX-35)Carol Miller (WV-01), Pat Ryan (NY-18) and Debbie Dingell (MI-12) introduced the bipartisan Improving Access to Emergency Medical Services for Seniors Act. The bill would allow seniors on Medicare to receive at-home emergency medical services to treat minor medical incidents.

“Not every patient is best served by an emergency room visit,” said Congressman Carey. “In fact, for many seniors, a trip to the hospital can mean long wait times, increased costs and potentially life-threatening complications. We’re proud to lead this bill to give our seniors access to the highest caliber of care.” 

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Advocacy February 2024

Advocating Emergency Medical Services

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