Spotlights
Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule
CMS issued the CY 2025 PFS proposed rule: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2024-14828/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-calendar-year-2025-payment-policies-under-the-physician-fee-schedule that announces proposed policy changes for Medicare payments under the PFS and other Medicare Part B payment policy issues including ambulance services. CMS is proposing to modify the definition of advanced life support level two (ALS2) at 42 CFR §414.605 by adding the administration of low titer O+ whole blood transfusion (WBT) to the list of ALS2 procedures. For patients in hemorrhagic shock, the use of WBT has demonstrated a survival benefit when compared to traditional hemorrhagic resuscitative therapy. Under this proposal, a ground ambulance transport that provides WBT would itself constitute an ALS2-level transport.
We are also seeking comments on whether we should add alternative blood product treatments such as the administration of packed red blood cells and plasma to the list of ALS2 procedures. We are aware that some established Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems may already provide WBT to treat patients in hemorrhagic shock, while other jurisdictions, including those in rural areas, may rely on alternative blood product treatments instead.
We encourage you to submit comments on this proposal by September 9, 2024, to the website provided in the CY 2025 PFS proposed rule.
Five Top GADCS Tips for Selected Ground Ambulance Organizations in Year 1 and Year 2 that are Required to Report Beginning in January 2023 - Updated 11/2/23 (PDF)
Five Top Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS) Tips for Selected Year 3 and Year 4 Ground Ambulance Organizations Required to Report Beginning in January 2024 (PDF)
Walkthrough of the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/hSf8YlOWSys
Visit Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System for:
- Lists of ground ambulance organizations selected in Years 1–2 required to collect information starting in 2022 and report information starting in 2023
- Organizations selected in Years 3–4 required to collect information starting in 2023 and report information starting in 2024
- FAQs (PDF)
Upcoming Events
There are currently no upcoming events.
To view materials from past events, go to: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/fee-schedules/ambulance-fee-schedule/ambulance-events.
Contact Us
Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System
Effective January 1, 2020-2024, CMS will select ground ambulance providers and suppliers to participate in the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS). Get more Medicare GADCS information and resources.
COVID-19 Information:
