Congress·In Committee·S. 3730

Senate Bill Would Pay Ambulance Crews for On-Scene Care, Even Without Hospital Transport

Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement for On-Scene Care and Support Act

about 2 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Part of: Congress Proposes Medicare Coverage for On-Scene Ambulance Care

Legislative Progress

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Law

Key Points

This bill changes Medicare rules so ambulance companies can get paid for treating people on the scene. Currently, Medicare usually only pays if the ambulance actually drives the patient to a hospital or medical facility.
Starting January 1, 2027, emergency crews would receive payment for their medical work regardless of whether a trip to the hospital happens. This payment would be similar to what they currently get for transporting a patient.
This policy helps local fire departments and ambulance services stay funded. Many emergency calls are resolved by paramedics on-site, and this ensures they are paid for their time and medical supplies even if the patient stays home.
By paying for on-scene care, the bill encourages treating patients where they are when a hospital trip isn't necessary. This could help reduce crowding in emergency rooms and save patients from expensive, unnecessary hospital bills.

Healthcare

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Jan 29, 2026Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Jan 29, 2026

Introduced in Senate

Related News

3 articles

Durango Herald·about 2 months ago

Bennet sponsors bill to reimburse EMS agencies for at-home treatments

Sen. Michael Bennet is co-sponsoring the Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement for On-Scene Care and Support Act (S. 3730). The bill would require Medicare to pay for emergency services provided on-scene, addressing the current rule where providers are only paid if a patient is transported.

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Lakeland PBS·about 2 years ago

Rural EMS Crisis and Medicare Reimbursement Discussed in Blackduck

The EMS ROCS Act aims to align Medicare's reimbursement model with services performed on-site. Currently, paramedics often provide life-saving care or minor treatments at home but receive no federal payment unless they drive the patient to a hospital, creating a funding gap for rural agencies.

Crain's New York Business·almost 6 years ago

Yonkers ambulance company seeks Medicare payment for treat-at-home calls

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ambulance companies provided thousands of 'treat-in-place' visits that were not reimbursable by Medicare. This article highlights the long-standing industry frustration with a reimbursement system that only pays for transportation rather than medical care.

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Related Bills

1 bill

H.R. 7277Related bill

Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement for On-Scene and Support Act

Jan 30 — 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.