What is the Medicare Cost Survey?
As part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires that all providers of ground ambulance services collect and report expenditures, revenues, utilization, and other departmental statistics. This data will be used to assess current payment rates and inform future reimbursement rates. In November 2019, CMS selected 2,600 ambulance providers to complete the Medicare Cost Survey. “Failure to sufficiently submit the required information will result in a 10 percent reduction to payments under the Ambulance Fee Schedule (AFS) for one year” (CMS, 2019). Precise and complete cost data collection is critical to the establishment of adequate future rates.
How Can PCG Help You?
We’re here to help you navigate the data collection process and completion of the Medicare Cost Survey. Our three service levels allow you to get just the right amount of guidance and support based on your needs and budget:
1. Medicare Cost Survey training via our secure web-based portal, tools that facilitate the data collection and report preparation process and help desk support.
2. Detailed desk review and variance analysis with like-sized providers and scheduled conference call to review recommendations.
3. Comprehensive cost report survey preparation by our team of experts and full CMS audit support.
Why Should You Partner With PCG?
Public Consulting Group (PCG) is the nation’s leader in providing ground emergency medical transport (GEMT) and Medicare cost reporting services. Our team has more than 30 years of experience working with state-operated facilities on cost reports submission to the Medicare intermediary. We leverage our extensive knowledge and experience to guide our partners on allowable costs, provider charges, prospective payments, and appeals for Medicare. Additionally, we have developed a proprietary web-based solution to streamline the survey process, vastly reduce the administrative burden, and maximize compliance and accuracy.
PCG has generated over $400 million for public EMS providers across the country through Medicaid cost recovery programs. We offer services ranging from cost report preparation and audit support to statewide program administration.
We understand the operations and cost structures of EMS departments, which enables us to ensure that cost surveys are completed accurately and properly in accordance with Medicare regulations of EMS departments, which enables us to ensure that cost surveys are completed accurately and properly in accordance with Medicare regulations.