Congress passes act to extend Medicare add-ons; bill goes to Biden

The 2% urban, 3% rural and 22.6% super rural additions for ground ambulance services are about to expire

By Leila Merrill
EMS1

WASHINGTON — Congress passed this week the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which includes an extension of the 2% urban, 3% rural and 22.6% super rural Medicare add-ons for ground ambulance services.

An 8.7% 2023 ambulance inflation factor was announced in October.

The add-ons are set to expire at the end of the year, but if President Joe Biden signs the act, they will continue through the end of 2024.

A news release from Page, Wolfberg & Wirth states that a 4% Medicare “PAYGO” cut that was set to take effect at the end of this year is delayed until 2025.

The 2% across-the-board Medicare sequestration cuts, which have been in effect since 2013 (though they were suspended for a time during the COVID-19 pandemic) have been extended through Dec. 1, 2032.