The Real Cost of EMS Begins Before the Call
Emergency medical services are often measured by activity. How many calls did an agency respond to? How many patients were transported? How many unit hours were …
How EMS on the Hill Day 2026 Connects EMS Experience and Federal Policy
Each year, emergency medical services professionals from across the United States gather in Washington, D.C. for EMS on the Hill Day, an annual event organized by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT). The event is designed to support direct dialogue between EMS clinicians, system leaders, and federal policymakers, …
The Role of Mobile Integrated Health and Community Paramedicine in Preventive Care
Evolving EMS Service Delivery Through Mobile Integrated Health Fire and EMS agencies across the country are operating in a service environment that continues to shift. While emergency response and transport remain core responsibilities, a growing share of 911 calls are related to chronic medical conditions, behavioral health needs, medication management, …
How Legislative Calendars Shape Medicaid Rate Setting for EMS in 2026
State legislative sessions are not simply civics class footnotes; they function as the clock that determines when Emergency Medical Services leaders, associations, and payers can meaningfully influence Medicaid payment policy. In 2026, most legislatures convene early in the year, which creates short periods during which EMS rate-setting bills, as well …
The Future of EMS and Ambulance Care After a Pivotal 2025
EMS faces a tough balance between rising costs and Medicaid rates that haven’t kept pace. If you’ve been following the headlines or living them, you know this isn’t just a passing challenge. It’s the reality for agencies across the country, especially in rural communities where every dollar and every responder …
Medicaid Reimbursement Shifts, Rural Health Transformation, and What EMS Agencies Need to Know
The world of Emergency Medical Services is changing fast, and staying informed is more important than ever. On October 16, 2025, Public Consulting Group (PCG) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) hosted a lively webinar that brought together EMS experts, agency leaders, and policy makers to discuss the …
Is It Time to Rethink How We Deliver EMS Care?
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the United States are at a crossroads. With rising costs, evolving patient needs, and the early termination of the CMS ET3 model, EMS leaders are searching for new ways to deliver care that’s flexible, integrated, and value-driven. The recent whitepaper, “Rethinking EMS Delivery“, authored by …
Understanding the True Cost of EMS: Why Accurate Data Matters More Than Ever
Last month, PCG had the opportunity to co-present with the National Association of EMTs (NAEMT) on a critical topic: the true cost of EMS, the burden of uncompensated care, and the path to financial sustainability for EMS agencies. EMS Systems Are Under Financial Pressure Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are a …
Celebrating EMS Week and the Heroes Behind Every Siren
Who do you call when something happens and medical attention is required? Who do you know you can count on after that 911 call when you need medical help? This week is National EMS Week, and with the theme of “We Care. For Everyone,” it couldn’t be more fitting for …
Navigating EMS Incentives and Balance Billing
If you’re an EMS leader wondering how to keep up with all the changes in reimbursement, you’re not alone. On March 6, 2025, EMS leaders from across the country joined the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and Public Consulting Group (PCG) for a timely and informative webinar: Maximizing Incentives …
What EMS Providers Should Know About the CMS GADCS Report
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently published the Year 1 and Year 2 cohort analysis of the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS) Survey, and it’s packed with valuable insights. Want to know how ambulance services across the United States stack up in terms of operations, …