EMSA Transport Rate Update / Treatment in Place Implementation Fact Sheet

EMSA will update its transport rates and introduce a Treatment-in-Place fee on October 1, 2026. EMSA’s transport rates were last updated in 2012 – 14 years ago. The transport rate update, detailed below, reflects the levels of medical care provided and the costs of delivering emergency medical services in 2026. This update aligns rates with reimbursement structures used by insurance providers and government payers.

(*the majority of EMSA Transports fall into the BLS-E and ALS-E categories)

Updates:

• Updated base transport and mileage rate to better align with the level of service provided:
  • BLS = Basic Life Support (Lowest Acuity)
  • ALS = Advanced Life Support
  • N = Non-Emergency
  • E = Emergency
  • ALS-2 = Transport with specialized, complex care such as multiple medications or advanced airway management.
  • SCT = Specialty Care Transport, an interfacility transportation of a critically injured or ill patient. (Highest Acuity)
• Introduction of a $500 Treatment-in-Place (TIP) rate for patients assessed and provided medical treatment but not transported
• A new 40% uninsured discount on EMSA transports to reduce financial impact for patients without insurance – aligns with EMSA’s 40% discount on scheduled transfers for EMSAcare members

Why is EMSA updating rates now?

• The Healthcare inflation rate, between 2012 and 2026, increased 43.8% according to the Consumer Price Index
• EMSA’s capital equipment and supply costs have increase by 30% since 2020
• EMSA has increased wages and compensation 32% between 2020 and 2025
• Between 2020 and 2025 the cost of a new ambulance has increased by 50%

What is Treatment in Place?

Treatment in Place happens when EMSA clinicians evaluate and provide medical care (medical interventions) and the patient chooses not to be transported to an emergency department. EMSA responds to nearly 40,000 calls annually where medical care is provided and the patient is not transported at a cost of nearly $15 million.

What is EMSA and where does its funding come from?

EMSA is an Oklahoma Public Trust. EMSA exists to operate an emergency medical services system to support the health and medical needs of our beneficiary and non-beneficiary communities. EMSA is not a private, for-profit ambulance service.

Reimbursements collected from insurance payors fund 88% of EMSA’s annual budget. Approximately 11% of EMSA’s annual budget comes from resident’s EMSAcare fees. These fees are collected and deposited into a city managed fund. EMSA requests a portion of the EMSAcare fund balance annually to offset payor reimbursement and the cost of providing care. EMSA receives no money from the Tulsa or Oklahoma City General Fund.

Is the monthly EMSAcare rate on my utility bill changing?

No. EMSAcare members will continue to pay $5.45/month in Tulsa and $3.65/month in OKC to enroll all permanent members of that household in EMSAcare.

How do I join EMSAcare?

Tulsa residents who are not currently enrolled in EMSAcare and have a City of Tulsa utilities account can enroll during the month of August. Oklahoma City residents may enroll during the month of September. Residents can also join EMSAcare directly with EMSA.

Does Transport Rate Update / Treatment in Place Implementation change how emergency calls are handled?

No. Updates to EMSA’s Transport Rates and Treatment in Place Implementation will not result in any changes to EMSA’s response system. Patients in need of emergency medical assistance should continue to call 911. EMSA’s medical dispatchers will dispatch an ALS or BLS ambulance based on a patient’s medical need.

When will these changes take effect?

The new rate structure and the treatment in place fee will be implemented on October 1, 2026, following EMSAcare open enrollment months in Tulsa (August) and Oklahoma City (September).