Bill > HR4792

This bill aims to improve the Medicare payment system for air ambulance services by allowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to revise the current fee schedule based on comprehensive data collection. Under the bill, air ambulance service providers will be required to submit detailed cost and revenue data every three years, including fixed and operational costs per base, service utilization, and revenue from Medicare. The Secretary must consult with stakeholders transparently when considering fee schedule revisions. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Secretary finalize a data collection rule within 6 months of enactment, and requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study within one year of data collection, examining average operating costs, cost per transport, payor mix, Medicare payment adequacy, geographic cost variations, and recommending improvements to the fee schedule. The bill is designed to create a more accurate and fair payment system for air ambulance services under Medicare, addressing potential disparities in current reimbursement rates.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4792/all-info