Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement for On-Scene and Support Act | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 7277
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 7277Health
Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement for On-Scene and Support Act
INTRO JAN 30· LAST ACTION JAN 30
READING
1MIN
COSPONSORS
8
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Seniors and people with disabilities who are covered by Medicare would be most directly affected. If they call for an ambulance but don't need to be taken to a hospital, the on-scene medical care they receive would now be covered by Medicare, potentially preventing unexpected bills for these emergency services.
Ambulance service providers and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) would also be affected. They would be able to bill Medicare for services provided at the scene without transport, potentially increasing their revenue and better compensating them for the critical care they provide, regardless of whether a transport occurs.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Expands Medicare coverage to include ambulance services provided at the scene, even if the patient is not transported to a medical facility.
This ensures that medically necessary emergency care received outside of a hospital transport is recognized and paid for by Medicare.
PROVISION 02
Specifies that reimbursement for these non-transport services will be comparable to what would be paid for transport services.
This aims to fairly compensate ambulance providers for their on-scene medical expertise and services.
PROVISION 03
Establishes an effective date of January 1, 2026, for these new coverage provisions.
This provides a clear timeframe for when the new reimbursement rules will take effect, allowing providers and Medicare to prepare.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Seniors and people with disabilities who are covered by Medicare would be most directly affected. If they call for an ambulance but don't need to be taken to a hospital, the on-scene medical care they receive would now be covered by Medicare, potentially preventing unexpected bills for these emergency services.
Ambulance service providers and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) would also be affected. They would be able to bill Medicare for services provided at the scene without transport, potentially increasing their revenue and better compensating them for the critical care they provide, regardless of whether a transport occurs.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Expands Medicare coverage to include ambulance services provided at the scene, even if the patient is not transported to a medical facility.
This ensures that medically necessary emergency care received outside of a hospital transport is recognized and paid for by Medicare.
high
Specifies that reimbursement for these non-transport services will be comparable to what would be paid for transport services.
This aims to fairly compensate ambulance providers for their on-scene medical expertise and services.
med
Establishes an effective date of January 1, 2026, for these new coverage provisions.
This provides a clear timeframe for when the new reimbursement rules will take effect, allowing providers and Medicare to prepare.
New Medicare coverage provisions apply to services furnished on or after this date.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Title XVIII of the Social Security Act
The specific part of federal law that created the Medicare program, which provides health insurance primarily for people aged 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease.
Medicare coverage
Refers to the medical services, treatments, and supplies that the Medicare health insurance program will help pay for on behalf of its beneficiaries.
Ambulance service provider or supplier
An organization or individual that offers emergency medical care, patient assessment, and transportation in an ambulance.
On-scene services
Medical care provided by emergency medical personnel at the location where a patient needs help, such as their home or a public place, rather than after transport to a hospital.
Reimbursement
The payment made by an insurance program, like Medicare, to a healthcare provider or supplier for services they have delivered to a patient.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
JAN 30
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
JAN 30
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.