Bill Would Increase Medicare Reimbursements for Ambulance Companies

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has introduced a bill (S 1310) that would increase Medicare reimbursements to ambulance companies that transport beneficiaries, Long Island Newsday reports. The legislation has 23 co-sponsors, and Rep. Michael McNulty (D-N.Y.) has introduced a companion bill in the House. According to Schumer, the current Medicare formula for reimbursements to ambulance companies uses a national fee schedule that does not provide adequate payments to companies in areas with aging populations and high labor costs. Alan Lewis, former president of United New York Ambulance Network, said, "This has a huge impact on all our members," adding, "The cost of operations continue to spiral upward" (Altherr, Long Island Newsday, 6/7).