ET3 is a voluntary, five-year payment model that will provide greater flexibility to ambulance care teams to address emergency health care needs of Medicare FFS beneficiaries following a 911 call. Under the ET3 model, CMS will pay participating ambulance suppliers and providers to:
- Transport an individual to a hospital emergency department (ED) or other destination covered under the regulations
- Transport an individual to an alternative destination partner (such as a primary care doctor’s office or an urgent care clinic)
- Provide treatment in place with a qualified health care partner, either on the scene or connected using telehealth
Implementing a telehealth solution will be critical to taking advantage of the opportunities afforded by the ET3 program.