Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System

Effective January 1, 2020–2024, CMS selected ground ambulance providers and suppliers to participate in the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS). To learn more, view these FAQs (PDF) - Updated 11/02/2023.

Selected Providers & Suppliers

• Year 1 (ZIP)
• Year 2 (ZIP)
• Year 3 (ZIP) - New 11/7/22
• Year 4  (ZIP) - New 11/7/22

What To Do if We Select Your Organization

• Respond to the notification letter from your Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC)
• Report your organization’s start date of your data collection period and contact information to the website provided in the notification letter
• Provide information on cost, revenue, utilization, and other information for a continuous 12-month data collection period.
• Collect data using the Data Collection Instrument:
  • English: Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection Instrument (PDF) - Updated 11/02/2023
  • Spanish: Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection Instrument (PDF) - Updated 11/02/2023

How do I register for the GADCS Portal?

Selected ground ambulance organizations in Year 1 and Year 2 are required to collect data beginning in 2022 and report beginning in 2023 (within 5 months after your data collection period ends).

Selected ground ambulance organizations in Year 3 and Year 4 are required to collect data beginning in 2023 and report beginning in 2024 (within 5 months after your data collection period ends).

Selected ground ambulance organizations are required to report data using the GADCS portal. For information on how to access the system, view Quick Tips on Registration and Requesting Access to the GADCS Portal (PDF).

Overview of the Timeline for the Data Collection & Data Reporting Requirements under the GADCS

What Happens if Your Organization Doesn’t Report Data

If CMS selects your organization to participate, but your organization doesn’t report the required information, your organization will be subject to a 10 percent reduction in payments under the Medicare Part B Ambulance Fee Schedule (AFS) for a calendar year. Your organization will not get a reduction in payments if we approve a hardship exemption request or if an informal review concludes that your organization isn't subject to the 10 percent reduction in payments.

Medicare GADCS Goals

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) will analyze the collected information and submit a report to Congress on the:

• Information you submit through the data collection system
• Adequacy of payments for ground ambulance services and geographic variations in the cost of furnishing such services
• Analysis of any burden on you associated with the data collection system
• Recommendation as to whether organizations should continue to submit information through the data collection system or if changes are needed

Rules on the Establishment of the Medicare GADCS

• CY 2024 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule
• CY 2024 PFS Proposed Rule
• CY 2023 PFS Final Rule
• CY 2023 PFS Proposed Rule 
• CY 2022 PFS Final Rule
• CY 2022 PFS Proposed Rule Fact Sheet (PDF)
• CY 2022 PFS Proposed Rule
• CY 2020 PFS Final Rule
• CY 2020 PFS Proposed Rule

Resources

• View helpful GADCS tip sheets, user guides, reports, forms, templates, and other resources.
• View educational webinars.

Events

See upcoming and past events.