Carey releases draft of bill requiring Medicare treatment-in-place pilot program

U.S. Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH) on Monday released a discussion draft for legislation that would allow America’s senior citizens to receive at-home emergency medical services without being transported to a hospital. 

“Seniors should have the ability to receive ambulatory and emergency medical services at home for minor issues, without having to be transported to hospitals where they could potentially pick up dangerous infections,” Rep. Carey said.

Specifically, the congressman is drafting the Improving Access to Emergency Medical Services Act, which would require the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test an emergency treatment-in-place model under the Medicare program, according to the text of the draft bill.   

“Our legislation will also help limit emergency room backlogs, while ensuring ambulatory services are not stuck ferrying people back and forth for minor issues at the expense of more serious medical emergencies,” said Rep. Carey. 

A treatment-in-place pilot model was originally implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the lawmaker’s staff, and while it proved efficient in helping senior citizens and minimizing emergency room visits, the flexibilities expired and the pilot program ended.

Rep. Carey has worked with EMS stakeholders to advance his policy, including the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, the American Ambulance Association, the International Association of Fire Fighters, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs, his staff said.