Spotlight
Submit Comments by September 6th – Calendar Year (CY) 2023 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule
CMS issued the CY 2023 PFS proposed rule: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2022-14562.pdf that announces and solicits public comments on proposed policy changes for Medicare payments under the PFS and other Medicare Part B payment policy issues including ambulance services. CMS is proposing a series of changes to the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System. First, we are proposing to update our regulations at § 414.626(d)(1) and (e)(2) to provide the necessary flexibility to specify how ground ambulance organizations should submit the hardship exemption requests and informal review requests, including to our web-based portal once that portal is operational. Second, through review of questions and feedback that we received, we are proposing further changes and clarifications to the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection Instrument. The changes and clarifications aim to reduce burden on respondents, improve data quality, or both. We group our proposed changes and clarifications into four broad categories: editorial changes for clarity and consistency; updates to reflect the web-based system; clarifications responding to feedback from questions from interested parties and testing; and typos and technical corrections. Lastly, we note that the CAA, 2022 delayed the deadline for MedPAC to submit its report to Congress on the ground ambulance data collection system study until June 15th, following the date the Secretary transmits data for the first representative sample of ground ambulance organizations.
As we stated in the CY 2023 PFS proposed rule, a draft of the updated Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection Instrument (PDF) that includes all of the CY 2023 proposed changes to review and provide comments on is posted here. These changes if finalized would be effective on or after January 1, 2023.
We encourage you to review the proposed rule, and submit formal comments by September 6, 2022.
Contact Us
- General ambulance inquiries: email [email protected]
- Ground ambulance data collection inquiries: email [email protected]
- Regional office inquiries: email mailto:[email protected]
Upcoming Events
Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS) Webinar: Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection Instrument: Allocating Expenses and Revenue on Thursday, July 21, 2022
2:00 PM- 3:00 pm ET.
To register for this Zoom webinar:
https://cms.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_tKeFEYLcRRGyhhKqEPY4BA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
The slide presentation will be available here (PDF).
During this call, CMS will cover approaches to allocate expenses and revenue for the purposes of reporting information to the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS). While everyone is welcome to listen in and participate, this session will be most relevant to ground ambulance organizations that are: fire, police, and other public safety department-based; operated by municipal governments; Medicare providers of services (e.g., hospitals); operated by a broader “parent organization” billing under multiple National Provider IDs (NPIs); and provide other services (e.g., non-medical transport, community paramedicine, air ambulance, other medical services, etc.).
A question-and-answer session will follow this presentation. You may send questions in advance to [email protected] with “July 21 Allocation Webinar” in the subject line. We intend to answer questions submitted in advance during the call and participants may also submit live questions using the “Q&A” button at the bottom of your Zoom screen.
For more information, including the list of ground ambulance organizations selected to collect and report information starting in 2022, see the Ambulances Services Center webpage, the CY 2022 PFS Final Rule, the CY 2020 PFS final rule, and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.
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:
- COVID-19 FAQs on Medicare Fee For Service Billing (PDF): See page 48 for Ambulance Services FAQs
- COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers (PDF) : This revised modification to the data collection periods and data reporting periods impacts ground ambulance organizations that CMS selected for Years 1-2 of the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System: See page 32
- Ambulance Treat in Place: See page 33
- Get more resources on COVID-19