Complete
Text of Report is available in PDF format (723 kb). Copies can also be obtained by contacting the Office of Public
Affairs at 202-619-1343.Complete
Text of Report is available in PDF format (723 kb). Copies can also be obtained by contacting the Office of Public
Affairs at 202-619-1343.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This final audit report presents the results of our nationwide review of medical necessity for ambulance services. Our review disclosed that, from 1986 to 1989, the number of trips by Medicare beneficiaries in advanced life support (ALS) ambulances increased by 131 percent while the number of trips in basic life support (BLS) ambulances increased by only 14 percent. Further, allowed charges from ALS and BLS ambulances increased by $72 million from 1988 to 1989. Of this amount, $53 million or 73 percent was attributable to increased utilization of ALS ambulances.
