Digitech’s 2025 calendar keeps rolling with a robust lineup of EMS conferences in Q3. These events offer an opportunity to engage with EMS leaders, exchange ideas, and highlight how our billing solutions can help agencies thrive. Take a look at where we’ll be this quarter!
Reach Out to Our Team
Meet Digitech at EMS Industry Events – Q2 2025
Digitech continues its 2025 journey with a packed schedule of industry-leading conferences in Q2. These events are our chance to connect with EMS professionals, share expertise, and showcase how our billing solutions support agencies nationwide. Check out where we’ll be this quarter!
Reach Out to Our Team
Webinar – The Business of Saving Lives: Balancing EMS Costs and Revenues
Did you miss our latest webinar with JEMS and Fire Engineering? Watch the video recording below of The Business of Saving Lives: Balancing EMS Costs and Revenues, a panel discussion on the financial realities of EMS today.
In this session, industry experts examine the growing financial pressures on EMS agencies and the strategies they use to stay operationally strong. Panelists explore key funding models, whether tax-based or direct billing, while sharing insights on cost management, revenue diversification, and service optimization. Through real-world examples and a dynamic Q&A, the discussion provides actionable takeaways to help EMS leaders improve financial sustainability and navigate reimbursement challenges.
You can watch the webinar here:
Get a demo of our EMS billing platform. Schedule a Demo
Meet Digitech at EMS Industry Events – Q1 2025
Digitech is kicking off 2025 with a packed schedule of industry-leading conferences. These events are our chance to connect, share expertise, and explore the latest in EMS and revenue cycle management. Check out where we’ll be in Q1 below.
Get a demo of our EMS billing platform. Schedule a Demo
Webinar – Fueling the Future of EMS: Exploring Sustainable Funding for Mobile Integrated Healthcare
If you missed this free webinar, we hosted in conjunction with National Association of Mobile Integrated Healthcare Providers (NAMIHP), view it here!
Join these EMS industry leaders for a dynamic webinar on innovation and sustainability in mobile integrated healthcare (MIH). Panelists will share real-world funding models and success stories, followed by a Q&A session for direct insights from the experts.
Speakers:
- Maggie Adams, President, EMS Financial Services, Inc.
- Michael Mason, Section Chief, San Francisco Fire Department
- Kevin Spratlin, Division Chief, Memphis Fire Department
- Lauren Young-Work, LCSW, MIH Coordinator, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue
Moderator:
Michael Brook, Senior VP of Client Relations, Digitech
Webinar – The Hype and the Hope: Exploring Artificial Intelligence in EMS
Did you miss the webinar that we hosted through Pinnacle? Check out the video recording below of The Hype and the Hope: Exploring Artificial Intelligence in EMS, a panel discussion exploring the impact of artificial intelligence in emergency medical services.
In this session, we delve into early uses of AI in EMS, beginning with an overview what AI is – and what it isn’t. Panelists explore AI’s application in their areas of specialization: dispatch and communications, ePCR and RMS software, EMS education, and revenue cycle management. A lively Q&A with the expert panelists offers additional insights and takeaways on the emerging applications of AI in EMS.
You can watch the webinar here:
Or download the slides here.
Beware of Breaches: Data Security Strategies for EMS Agencies
In the fast-paced world of EMS, efficient communication and seamless access to critical information are second only to patient care. As technology continues to revolutionize EMS, securing against data breaches becomes an essential concern. Cyberattacks can lead to damaging consequences, such as a recent ransomware attack that affected computer systems and caused the closure of emergency rooms and redirection of ambulance services in multiple locations[1]. When it comes to protecting sensitive patient data, EMS personnel have not only a legal obligation but also a responsibility to maintain trust and provide high-quality care. EMS breaches can lead to identify theft, which can be damaging to individuals who may already be experiencing the financial and emotional stress of medical emergencies.
Here we explore strategies for EMS leaders to improve data security in their organizations and ensure patient confidentiality while embracing technological advancements.
Vendors’ Security Policies and Practices
Most EMS agencies utilize third-party software or services of some kind these days – ePCR and CAD applications, billing services, hardware manufacturers, and more – and it’s crucial to assess the security measures of those vendors. Ensure that they follow stringent data security practices and comply with industry standards and regulations and have a comprehensive understanding of how vendor relationships impact the security of patient data. All the following strategies apply not just to your EMS agency but to your vendors as well.
A recent data breach that affected numerous EMS agencies was traced back to a third-party vendor’s use of MOVEit Transfer software[2]. Digitech implements stringent security policies and rigorously safeguards our clients’ data. Click here to talk to a Digitech expert to learn more.
Implement Robust Encryption
One of the foundational steps in securing EMS data is the implementation of strong encryption protocols. Encryption scrambles sensitive data, making it virtually impossible for unauthorized individuals to access or interpret. Ensure that both data at rest (stored data) and data in transit (data being sent or received) are encrypted using modern encryption algorithms. This prevents unauthorized access in case of a data breach or theft.
Access Control and Authentication
Access control is the first Technical Safeguard Standard of the HIPAA Security Rules. Implement stringent access controls to restrict data access based on roles and responsibilities. Not everyone in EMS requires access to all patient records. Utilize role-based access control to ensure that each team member can only view or edit the information they need for their specific tasks. Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide multiple forms of verification before accessing any systems that house patient data.
Regular Training and Education
Human error remains a significant factor in data breaches. Conduct regular training sessions to educate EMS staff about the importance of data security, best practices for handling protected health information, and the potential risks associated with mishandling data. Make sure all employees are well-versed in recognizing phishing attempts and understand their role in maintaining data security.
Secure Mobile Devices
In EMS, mobile devices play a crucial role in accessing patient information in the field. However, these devices can also be vulnerable points of entry for cyber attackers. Ensure that all mobile devices used by EMS personnel are equipped with strong security measures, such as device encryption, remote wipe capabilities, and biometric authentication.
Regular Software Updates and Patch Management
Outdated software is a common entry point for breaches. Regularly update the operating systems, applications, and software used within EMS to ensure that security vulnerabilities are patched. Implement a systematic process for monitoring and applying updates promptly.
Data Backup and Recovery
Having a robust data backup and recovery plan is essential in case of a cyber incident or breach. Regularly back up all patient data to secure off-site locations and understand the guidance on HIPAA and cloud computing. Test the restoration process periodically to ensure that backups are functioning properly and that critical data can be quickly recovered.
Data Minimization and Retention Policies
Collect only the necessary patient data and avoid gathering excessive information. Implement data retention policies that define how long patient data should be stored and when it should be securely deleted. This reduces the amount of data that could potentially be exposed in the event of a breach.
Audit Trails and Monitoring
Implement comprehensive audit trails that log all activities related to patient data access and modification. Regularly monitor these logs to detect any unusual or unauthorized activities. Anomalies can be identified and addressed promptly, minimizing the potential impact of a security breach.
Incident Response Plan
Despite the best preventive measures, security incidents can still occur. Having a well-defined incident response plan in place is essential. This plan should follow the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule and outline the steps to be taken in the event of a data breach, including notifying affected parties, addressing the breach’s root cause, and implementing measures to prevent future incidents.
Conclusion
Technology advances bring with them the responsibility of safeguarding sensitive patient data. By implementing a robust combination of encryption, access controls, staff training, and comprehensive security practices, EMS providers can ensure the confidentiality and integrity of patient information. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, so too must our commitment to data security in the realm of EMS.
[1] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/prospect-medical-cyberattack-california-pennsylvania-hospital/
Webinar: Best Practices for EMS Providers Now That Mandatory Cost Reporting is Underway
Some EMS providers remain unaware that ALL ground ambulance providers are required to provide cost data to CMS, and the first reporting period is already underway. Even if you understand the submission requirements, there are still some best practices to learn that can help the process run more smoothly. In this webinar, Digitech’s cost reporting experts as well as client guest speakers will review the current state of the mandatory cost reporting cycle, share examples and tips from EMS providers’ experiences in the field, and offer insights and resources that will help you avoid the 10% Medicare penalty that CMS will impose if data is not collected and reported accurately.
View the webinar below:
Download the slides here.
Check out our recent blog post if you would like to learn more: CMS Cost Reporting in 2023 and the Impact on EMS & Ambulance Medicare Reimbursement: Where Are We Now?
CMS Cost Reporting in 2023 and the Impact on EMS & Ambulance Medicare Reimbursement: Where Are We Now?
Check out our webinar on this topic: Best Practices for EMS Providers Now That Mandatory Cost Reporting is Underway
Mandatory CMS cost reporting was announced in earnest several years ago, only to be interrupted and delayed (like many things in our lives) by the COVID Public Health Emergency. Now, ground ambulance providers are focused on reporting under the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS), with approximately half of all EMS agencies well into or even having newly completed their mandatory data capture. The other half of EMS agencies are at the beginning stages of collecting the required data. The process of data submission to CMS has just begun, depending on the reporting period for each agency.
Now is a good time to take a look at some of the context around mandatory CMS cost reporting and examine the impacts on Medicare reimbursements in the medium-term as a result of these efforts.
GADCS Key Milestones for EMS Providers
First, let’s review the history of ambulance reimbursements and how the structure for ambulance reimbursements differs from the reimbursement allowables that Medicare sets for other healthcare services.
In 2002, Medicare implemented a phased-in national fee schedule for ambulance services. The goal was to address the high variability in the amounts being reimbursed depending on whether an EMS provider was hospital-based or independent. In 2005, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conducted a cost study. Interestingly, of the responses received in the cost study, 1/3 were omitted because the responding services were Fire-based and did not have a clean carveout of only ambulance costs versus other costs. The GAO report estimated that in 2010, excluding most Fire based agencies, 39-56% of providers would receive average Medicare reimbursement payments that would exceed their costs – which means, conversely, that half or more of the providers would not be able to cover their costs with Medicare’s reimbursements (Ambulance Providers: Costs and Expected Medicare Margins Vary Greatly, 2007). Additionally, the GAO report identified super rural providers as being at the highest risk of having Medicare payments well below their costs.
In an attempt to address the perceived shortfall in Medicare reimbursement, Congress included temporary Medicare ambulance bonus payments in the Medicare Modernization Act that paid an additional 2% (urban), 3% (rural), and 22.6% (super rural), starting in 2004. Those temporary bonus payments have been extended, with much debate, every few years since then.
Elsewhere in healthcare services – hospitals, physicians, clinics, labs – Medicare payments are established via an annual collection of cost data from all providers. CMS uses the collected data to update the allowable amount continually to cover costs for the provider, plus a reasonable margin. Ambulance services have been the exception, and the industry has been vocal about the existing allowables not being sufficient to cover the costs of providing the service. Outside of the 2005 GAO study, which excluded a large number of fire-based municipal ambulance providers, there is little factual data that ties current reimbursements to current ambulance rates. The amounts set in 2002 are adjusted by an annual inflation factor. The “temporary” Medicare add-on bonus payments are a modest recognition that the current Medicare rates are insufficient.
As you likely have inferred, the ambulance cost reporting initiative by CMS is intended to put ambulance providers on par with other healthcare service providers in terms of assessing costs and delivering fair reimbursement. EMS providers have received a concession, at least initially, by not being required to submit cost data annually, but rather every four years.
The collected and reported data is going to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC); MedPAC will then be required to submit a report to Congress on the adequacy of Medicare payment rates for ground ambulance services and geographic variations in the cost of furnishing such services. The timing of that report is not specified. The idea is that, at some point in the future, the data would be used for resetting the amounts Medicare will pay to ground ambulance providers.
There has been speculation by some providers that the Medicare allowable amounts will go up significantly as a result of the cost reporting submissions, while others believe the amounts could drop. This difference in perspective likely depends on what type of agency you are. Fully integrated providers under municipal structures typically have costs substantially higher than the current allowables, but private ambulance services that provide a large percentage of 911 services nationwide typically have a much lower cost structure. Also, agencies running all-ALS services have a higher cost structure than those that have a mix of ALS and BLS vehicles in their system.
No matter what, over the next several years, we expect to see changes to Medicare reimbursements in ground ambulance as a result of the cost reporting efforts. Generally the sentiment is that, at minimum, the cost of providing 24/7 911 services has increased faster than the current inflation factor accounts for. Time will tell, but there is a reasonable chance that reimbursements will be enhanced to better align with today’s costs of providing this critical service.
Digitech hopes that you find this context about the substantial Medicare GADCS cost reporting effort useful to understand the system more deeply or to explain the reasons to your key stakeholders. Please reach out to CMSDataCollection@digitechcomputer.com if you would like more information about Digitech’s data collection software, which assists agencies in organizing the required data elements, or if you would like assistance in data collection via our cost reporting consulting services.
—
Check out our webinar on this topic: Best Practices for EMS Providers Now That Mandatory Cost Reporting is Underway
Three Tactical Strategies to Improve Reimbursement While Maintaining Quality Clinical Care
Have you ever been asked to “do more with less”?
It’s not easy to be an EMS provider these days. Whether it’s increased expenses, decreased funding, or payers taking a harder stance on reimbursement, EMS agencies across the nation are faced with challenges when it comes to maximizing revenues. In this whitepaper, we focus on three strategies that aim to improve your organization’s revenue cycle without cutting staff or changing your patient care processes. Download the complimentary whitepaper here.