AMR Service Implements ET3 Program

PRESS RELEASE

BUSHNELL, FL—American Medical Response (AMR) in Sumter County has been selected as a participant to implement the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Emergency Triage, Treat and Transport (ET3) program.

AMR, a Global Medical Response (GMR) company, is the largest participant under the ET3 program, with 62 of the total 205 applicant awards. The AMR service areas cover millions of Medicare beneficiaries.  

ET3 is a five-year program aimed at providing greater flexibility for ambulance care teams to address emergency healthcare needs of Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) beneficiaries following a 9-1-1 call. AMR paramedics and EMTs will assess patients on-site and determine whether the patient should be treated in place or transported to an emergency room or alternative non-emergency healthcare facility.   

Christine Kennedy, operations manager, Sumter County, said the ET3 program is an innovative way to provide the most appropriate care for patient needs. “AMR Sumter is proud to be a part of this program, improving and personalizing healthcare for thousands.” AMR Sumter went live with the treatment in place (telehealth) and alternative destination transport to local partners March 1, 2021. 

Ted Van Horne, GMR chief operating officer, said the company shares CMS’s vision of improving quality, increasing access, and lowering costs for patients and payors. “We’re very proud CMS has chosen to work with us on such a large-scale program that dovetails with our own commitment to finding innovative solutions to the problems facing patients and healthcare providers alike,” he said.

As the ground transport arm of GMR, AMR has operations in thousands of U.S. communities.  

“The partnership with AMR and the medical direction provided by the University of Florida College of Medicine for this initiative is another significant step in the Board of County Commissioners directive to improve patient outcomes in our community,” said Bradley Arnold, Sumter County administrator.