My Department Needs Help with the CMS MGADCS
Author: Andrew Martinez What Is the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection Survey (GADCS)? The Medicare GADCS is a one-time requirement established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that mandates all providers of ground ambulance transportation to report department statistics such as expenditures, utilization, and revenue. Roughly 10,000 …
Ambulance Deserts: Unveiling the High Stakes of Timely Medical Care
Author: Emily Singh For every American, the phone number 911 signals a promise: a direct line to critical, often life-saving care. In the most populous cities, emergency response time can be as short as 9 minutes and 23 seconds (source). For rural Americans, emergency dispatch often takes upwards of 30 …
October is National Fire Prevention Month!
October is Fire Prevention Month, and it is a time to raise fire safety awareness. Fire Prevention Month takes place in October every year and occurs in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week (October 8th – 14th). The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) created Fire Prevention Month in memory of the …
Committed to Supporting Women in the Fire and EMS Industry
Author: Michelle Silvestre At Public Consulting Group (PCG) we strive for an equitable and inclusive workplace. One organization furthering these efforts in the Fire and EMS space is Women in Fire which is an interactive non-profit network that provides education, support, and advocacy for fire service women. Did you know …
Apply Now for the Wildfire Fuels Reduction Grant Opportunity
The Ready, Set, Go! (RSG) Program is accepting proposals from fire departments for Fuels Reduction Projects. The program is provided by the USDA Forest Service through a cooperative agreement with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). All submissions are due by September 30, 2023. Eligible Organizations Organizations that are …
Pay Tribute to Fallen EMS Members: National EMS Memorial Service
Author: Valerie Palmeri While there are memorials and organizations that recognize fallen law enforcement and firefighters, there was a gap in EMS providers being recognized for their valiant efforts throughout their career. In 1991, the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads (VAVRS) set out to correct this by recognizing EMS …
AI in the EMS World
Author: Lauren Cantley AI has made a serious mark on the world once Chat GPT was announced near the end of 2022. Ever since becoming a hot topic, its popularity has only grown. However, there is more to AI than using it to dictate text or summarize literature. The article …
Combating Fire & EMS Financial Constraints with Medicaid Supplemental Payment Programs
Author: Kendal August Primary EMS Challenges Amidst surging inflation and the rising cost of living, EMS departments find themselves in a critical condition. This article centers on the funding-related challenges faced by departments around the country and highlights the significance of obtaining adequate financial support through the Ambulance Supplemental Payment …
PCG Hosts Webinar and Releases a New Tool to Assist States in Providing Comment on the Impact of Proposed Rules to Enhance Medicaid Access/Quality
Originally Posted on PCG’s Health Policy News June 30, 2023 Author: Margot Jones In April 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released two notices of proposed rulemaking aimed at transforming the delivery of, access to, and payment for Medicaid programs: Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services (Access NPRM) and Managed Care Access, Finance, …
Recruitment Tips to Combat EMS Staffing Crisis
Author: Kyrstyn Paulat Recruitment and retention are among the top challenges identified by emergency medical services (EMS) agencies today. To combat this challenge, organizations must recognize that finding qualified candidates who satisfy the experience, skill, and education requirements has a direct correlation with the hiring outreach and incentive offers. Consistency …