Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement for On-Scene and Support Act
House Committee Reviews Bill to Pay Ambulance Crews for On-Scene Care Without Hospital Transport
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill would change Medicare rules so ambulance crews get paid for the medical care they provide on the scene, even if they do not drive the patient to a hospital. Right now, Medicare usually only pays if the patient is actually transported to a medical facility.
- The change would apply to services provided starting January 1, 2026. It aims to make sure paramedics and EMTs are fairly paid for the life-saving work they do at someone's home or at the site of an accident, regardless of the final destination.
- This policy helps patients who need emergency care but might not need a hospital stay. It also helps ambulance companies stay in business by covering the costs of their staff and equipment when they treat people on-site.
- The payment for these services would be similar to what ambulance companies receive when they do transport a patient. This encourages medical teams to provide the right care for the situation rather than just rushing everyone to the emergency room to ensure they get paid.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
Many ambulance services, especially in rural areas, are run by small companies or volunteer organizations that struggle financially. Right now they lose money every time they respond to a call but don't transport the patient. This bill would let them bill Medicare for on-scene care, helping them stay financially viable and continue serving their communities.
Programs
Disabilities
Broader Impacts
Milestones
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
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Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement for On-Scene and Support Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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