MEDICARE AMBULANCE ADD-ON PAYMENTS
By Ed Marasco, MPM, CMTE, EMT-P (Ret.)
The Ambulance Community in the United States has been under siege since COVID. From the operational challenges associated with a global pandemic to the difficulties with staffing to the ongoing reimbursement shortfalls, it is not a good time for EMS and Ambulance Service leaders. As the budget reconciliation process continues in Washington and the DOGE team presses ahead, there are many risks for providers and suppliers in healthcare. One of the risks that many folks have lost sight of is the expiration of the Medicare Ambulance Add-On Payments.
Congress has provided add-on payments since the institution of the new fee schedule at the turn of the century equal to 2% for Urban points of puck up, 3% for Rural points of pick up and 22.6% for Super rural points of pick up. Unfortunately, these Add-On Payments are not permanent and must be renewed periodically. We are once again in that cycle and the current Add-On Payments will expire on March 31, 2025.
THE TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW! Please reach out to your Congressional representatives (both House and Senate) to let them know these payments are critical to your survival. It is also a wonderful opportunity to remind them about the myriads of other challenges your organization faces on a daily basis.
