II 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2518 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 29, 2025 Mr. Bennet (for himself and Mrs. Blackburn) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to revise payment for air ambulance services under the Medicare program.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act of 2025.

2.

Improvements to Medicare payment system for air ambulance services

Section 1834(l) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(l)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (18)

Improvements to medicare payment system for air ambulance services

(A)

In general

The Secretary may revise the fee schedule otherwise established under this subsection for air ambulance services based on data described in subparagraph (B) and data collected under subparagraph (C). (B)

Data described

For purposes of subparagraph (A), the data described in this subparagraph is data collected pursuant to the provisions of, and amendments made by, section 106 of division BB of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116–260). (C)

Additional data collection

The Secretary shall require, once every 3 years, providers of services and suppliers furnishing air ambulance services to submit to the Secretary— (i) data relating to the fixed and operated costs per air ambulance base attributable to furnishing air ambulance services to individuals enrolled under this part and data relating to the utilization of such services by such individuals; (ii) data relating to the revenue obtained by such providers and suppliers under this part attributable to the furnishing of such services; and (iii) any other information determined appropriate by the Secretary. (D)

Consultation

In the case that the Secretary elects to revise the fee schedule for air ambulance services under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consider stakeholder input in a process that is transparent and appropriately considers data described in subparagraph (B) and data collected under subparagraph (C). .

3.

Timely finalization of air ambulance data collection rule

Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall finalize and publish a final rule implementing the air ambulance data collection requirements under section 106 of division BB of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116–260).

4.

GAO study on emergency air ambulance costs

Not later than 1 year after the date on which data begins to be collected pursuant to the provisions of, and amendments made by, section 106 of division BB of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116–260), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, a report detailing— (1) the average annual operating costs per air ambulance base; (2) the average cost per transport by air ambulance; (3) the payor mix for air ambulance services; (4) the adequacy of Medicare payments for such services; (5) geographic variations in the cost of furnishing such services; and (6) recommendations on improving the fee schedule under section 1834(l) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(l)) for air ambulance services.