Medicare would pay ambulances for on-scene care without transport
In committeeH.R. 2538Latest action
Sponsor: Mike Carey · Representative · OH
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: CARE Act of 2025
119th Congress
Topics: Health care
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.
A 5-year pilot would let Medicare pay ground ambulance providers for on-scene emergency care even when no hospital transport occurs.
50-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill would create a five-year pilot program requiring a federal agency to pay ground ambulance providers for treating Medicare patients on-scene during emergencies, even if the patient is never transported to a hospital. Payment rates would be set roughly in line with what providers would have earned for a transport. If telehealth is also provided during that on-scene visit, the treatment location would qualify under telehealth payment rules.
Who does it affect?
Medicare beneficiaries who call 911 for emergencies are the patients affected. Ground ambulance companies and providers who respond to those calls would receive the new payments.
Why does it matter?
Currently, Medicare generally only pays ambulance providers when they physically transport a patient to a medical facility, leaving on-scene-only care unpaid. The would be required to report to Congress within four years on how the pilot affected patient outcomes, access to emergency services, and costs compared to traditional emergency transportation.
AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedApr 1, 2025
- House committeeYou are here · Apr 1, 2025
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — 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.