As used in this subpart, the following definitions apply to both land and water (hereafter collectively referred to as “ground”) ambulance services and to air ambulance services unless otherwise specified:

Advanced life support (ALS) assessment is an assessment performed by an ALS crew as part of an emergency response that was necessary because the patient's reported condition at the time of dispatch was such that only an ALS crew was qualified to perform the assessment. An ALS assessment does not necessarily result in a determination that the patient requires an ALS level of service.

Advanced life support (ALS) intervention means a procedure that is, in accordance with State and local laws, required to be furnished by ALS personnel.

Advanced life support, level 1 (ALS1) means transportation by ground ambulance vehicle, medically necessary supplies and services and either an ALS assessment by ALS personnel or the provision of at least one ALS intervention.

Advanced life support, level 2 (ALS2) means either transportation by ground ambulance vehicle, medically necessary supplies and services, and the administration of at least three medications by intravenous push/bolus or by continuous infusion, excluding crystalloid, hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic solutions (Dextrose, Normal Saline, Ringer's Lactate); or transportation, medically necessary supplies and services, and the provision of at least one of the following ALS procedures:

(1) Manual defibrillation/cardioversion.

(2) Endotracheal intubation.

(3) Central venous line.

(4) Cardiac pacing.

(5) Chest decompression.

(6) Surgical airway.

(7) Intraosseous line.

Advanced life support (ALS) personnel means an individual trained to the level of the emergency medical technician-intermediate (EMT-Intermediate) or paramedic. The EMT-Intermediate is defined as an individual who is qualified, in accordance with State and local laws, as an EMT-Basic and who is also qualified in accordance with State and local laws to perform essential advanced techniques and to administer a limited number of medications. The EMT-Paramedic is defined as possessing the qualifications of the EMT-Intermediate and also, in accordance with State and local laws, as having enhanced skills that include being able to administer additional interventions and medications.

Basic life support (BLS) means transportation by ground ambulance vehicle and medically necessary supplies and services, plus the provision of BLS ambulance services. The ambulance must be staffed by at least two people who meet the requirements of state and local laws where the services are being furnished. Also, at least one of the staff members must be certified, at a minimum, as an emergency medical technician-basic (EMT-Basic) by the State or local authority where the services are furnished and be legally authorized to operate all lifesaving and life-sustaining equipment on board the vehicle. These laws may vary from State to State.

Conversion factor (CF) is the dollar amount established by CMS that is multiplied by relative value units to produce ground ambulance service base rates.

Emergency response means responding immediately at the BLS or ALS1 level of service to a 911 call or the equivalent in areas without a 911 call system. An immediate response is one in which the ambulance entity begins as quickly as possible to take the steps necessary to respond to the call.

Fixed wing air ambulance (FW) means transportation by a fixed wing aircraft that is certified as a fixed wing air ambulance and such services and supplies as may be medically necessary.

Geographic adjustment factor (GAF) means the practice expense (PE) portion of the geographic practice cost index (GPCI) from the physician fee schedule as applied to a percentage of the base rate. For ground ambulance services, the PE portion of the GPCI is applied to 70 percent of the base rate for each level of service. For air ambulance services, the PE portion of the GPCI is applied to 50 percent of the applicable base rate.

Ground ambulance organization means a Medicare provider or supplier of ground ambulance services.

Loaded mileage means the number of miles the Medicare beneficiary is transported in the ambulance vehicle.

Paramedic ALS intercept (PI) means EMT-Paramedic services furnished by an entity that does not furnish the ground ambulance transport, provided the services meet the requirements specified in §410.40(d) of this chapter.

Point of pick-up means the location of the beneficiary at the time he or she is placed on board the ambulance.

Relative value units (RVUs) means a value assigned to a ground ambulance service.

Rotary wing air ambulance (RW) means transportation by a helicopter that is certified as an ambulance and such services and supplies as may be medically necessary.

Rural adjustment factor (RAF) means an adjustment applied to the base payment rate when the point of pick-up is located in a rural area.

Rural area means an area located outside an urban area, or a rural census tract within a Metropolitan Statistical Area as determined under the most recent version of the Goldsmith modification as determined by the Office of Rural Health Policy of the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Specialty care transport (SCT) means interfacility transportation of a critically injured or ill beneficiary by a ground ambulance vehicle, including medically necessary supplies and services, at a level of service beyond the scope of the EMT-Paramedic. SCT is necessary when a beneficiary's condition requires ongoing care that must be furnished by one or more health professionals in an appropriate specialty area, for example, nursing, emergency medicine, respiratory care, cardiovascular care, or a paramedic with additional training.

Urban area means a Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the Executive Office of Management and Budget.

[67 FR 9132, Feb. 27, 2002, as amended at 68 FR 67693, Dec. 5, 2003; 71 FR 69787, Dec. 1, 2006; 80 FR 71382, Nov. 16, 2015; 84 FR 63193, Nov. 15, 2019]