CMS will test emergency transport model

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has selected 205 applicants in 36 states to participate in the Emergency Triage, Treat, and Transport (ET3) payment model. The goal of the five-year, voluntary initiative is to provide greater flexibility to ambulance care teams to address the emergency health care needs of Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries following a 911 call. Current Medicare rules incentivize ambulance services to deliver beneficiaries to hospital emergency departments. CMS plans to issue a notice of funding opportunity this spring for local and state governments wanting to implement medical triage lines integrated with their 911 services. (CMS news release, 2/27/20)