ET3 model delayed until Fall 2020

By Laura French

BALTIMORE — The launch of the Emergency Triage, Treat, and Transport (ET3) model has been delayed until Fall 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the postponement on its website Wednesday. 

The payment model was set to be tested by 205 selected agencies over a five-year period beginning on May 1. ET3 would allow EMS providers to receive reimbursements for transports to alternative destinations, such as urgent care centers or doctor's office, or for providing treatment in-place through a qualified healthcare practitioner. 

Earlier this month, CMS announced that Medicare beneficiaries could be transported to alternative locations in order to provide ambulance services with flexibility during the pandemic and ensure hospitals have the capacity to handle a potential surge of COVID-19 patients. 

Read more:

• 5 things to know about the ET3 reimbursement model
• Applicants selected to participate in ET3 payment model
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid extends flexibility in transport locations, paperwork
• Temporary CMS changes provide needed flexibility