If your agency was chosen during year 3 or 4 and you haven't submitted your data yet, don't worry! You have the option to request an extension from CMS.

Simply complete the form provided below to gather more details and find out whom to reach out to.

Section 50203(b) of the Bipartisan Act (BBA) of 2018 added paragraph (17) to section 1834 (I) of the Social Security Act (the Act). This section requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop a data collection system to collect cost, revenue, utilization, and other information from providers and suppliers of ground ambulance services. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has developed this data collection instrument to collect this information. The collected information will be analyzed to assess the adequacy of Medicare payments for ground ambulance services. 

You must report information covering a continuous 12-month data collection period. i.e.  a calendar year or your organizations fiscal year.

The date collection instrument consists of 13 sections:

This is the first time that ambulance service cost-related data has been systematically collected and analyzed by CMS. The CMS ambulance cost collection will likely set Medicare payment policy for many years to come. Additionally, this data will be publicly available and will likely be used by CMS and other payors to structure their reimbursement rates. 

EMS agencies that fail to report their cost data to CMS will have a 10% reduction in their reimbursement from CMS for a period of one year. Additionally, failure to adequately report your agency's cost data may result in a skewed analysis of ambulance service delivery resulting in inaccurate EMS service delivery cost-related data.

EMS agencies selected for years 1 and 2 of the Medicare GADCS had a deadline of May 31, 2023 to submit their data. In the event that data was not submitted, CMS sent out letters stating so and also including the chance to submit so as not to be subject to the 10% reduction in Medicare reimbursement. EMS agencies selected in year 3 and 4 had a deadline of May 31, 2024 to submit their data.

Please enjoy some photos from last year's Summit!