CMS Modifies Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection Compliance Periods

On December 1, 2020, CMS modified the data collection and reporting compliance periods for ground ambulance organizations that were selected by CMS to collect data during year 1 (2020) and year 2 (2021). Under this modification, the subject ground ambulance organizations can select a new continuous 12-month data collection period that begins between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022, to collect data necessary to complete the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection Instrument during their selected data collection period, and submit a completed Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection Instrument during the data reporting period that corresponds to their selected data collection period. CMS stated that it undertook this modification to increase flexibilities for ground ambulance organizations to focus on their operations and patient care during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.  For additional details with citations to the applicable regulations, see CMS’ COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers dated 12/01/2020 (page 31).