By Bill Carey
EMS1
BALTIMORE — The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the early ending of the Emergency Triage Treat and Transport (ET3) Model effective December 31, 2023.
In a notice to ET3 Model participants, CMS stated that the determination to end the ET3 Model early was made based on several factors, including the current number of interventions.
“Current and projected number of interventions are lower than the number anticipated when the Model was designed. This affects the cost of operating the Model relative to its expected benefits, the ability of CMS to conduct a robust quantitative evaluation of the Model’s impact, and the Model’s ability to achieve the estimated Medicare savings in the Model’s design,” CMS stated. “For these reasons, CMS has determined that it is not in the public interest to test the Model in Performance Year 4 (Calendar Year 2024) through Performance Year 5 (Calendar Year 2025) and has good cause to unilaterally amend the Agreement to modify its Performance Period.”
This decision does not affect participation in the Model through December 31, 2023, the ability to bill for ET3 interventions with a date of service through December 31, 2023, or the ability to receive performance-based payments. In addition, this does not impact participants’ ability to apply for any subsequent or future models.
The CMS encouraged those with questions to contact ET3Model@cms.hhs.gov.