Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement for On-Scene Care and Support Act
Sponsored By: Senator Peter Welch
Introduced
Summary
This bill would authorize Medicare coverage for on-scene ambulance care. It would let Medicare pay ambulance providers for emergency care given at the scene even if the patient is not transported, with coverage effective January 1, 2027.
Show full summary
- Medicare beneficiaries: Could receive covered emergency treatment from ambulance crews at the scene without needing to be transported.
- Ambulance providers and suppliers: Could bill Medicare for non-transport, on-scene services even when they do not provide transport or when reimbursement is not comparable to transport rates.
- Legal change for the program: Amends the statutory definition of "ambulance service" in section 1861(s)(7) of the Social Security Act to include on-scene services furnished on or after January 1, 2027.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Medicare covers on-scene ambulance care
If enacted, Medicare would cover ambulance care given on scene even when you are not transported. Coverage would apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2027. This applies when the care is provided to you by a provider or supplier of ambulance services. Medicare would pay even if the provider does not later transport you and even if non-transport reimbursement is not comparable to transport reimbursement. This would lower your out-of-pocket costs if Medicare pays for the on-scene care.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Peter Welch
VT • D
Cosponsors
Bernie Sanders
VT • I
Sponsored 1/29/2026
Tina Smith
MN • D
Sponsored 1/29/2026
Amy Klobuchar
MN • D
Sponsored 1/29/2026
John Fetterman
PA • D
Sponsored 1/29/2026
Michael Bennet
CO • D
Sponsored 1/29/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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