MedPac Meeting RECAP (3/6/25): Ground Ambulance Data

The Medicare Payment Advisory Committee (MedPAC) held the first of several Commission discussions related to the statutorily mandated report to review ground ambulance payment policy in light of the Ground Ambulance Data Collection System on March 6, 2025. In addition to the Ground Ambulance Payment Report, the agenda covered physician fee schedules updates, updates on reduction in cost-sharing for critical access hospital outpatient services, an overview of Medicare insurance agents, overview on Medigap, overview on home health care in Medicare Advantage, and institutional special needs plans.

The Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA) of 2018 required CMS to collect data on ground ambulance services through the Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS). MedPAC must analyze this data to assess Medicare payment adequacy and geographic cost variations, with a report due by June 15, 2026. Commissioners will review the data and guide the workplan. The American Ambulance Association noted the analysis will include cost data stratification by service type and level, as well as potential staffing differences. It will also examine data from a range of organizations, challenges for rural and super-rural providers, and comparisons of rural definitions. Additional focus areas include hospital vs. on-scene treatment, ownership data, treatment in place, payment impacts on response and transport decisions, the effect of “wall time” on costs, and differences between “loaded” and “unloaded” miles. 

MedPac Mandated Report: Payment for Ground Ambulance Services

Stay tuned for more information and updates on upcoming MedPac meetings!