07/08/2026
The U.S. Department of Defense announced on July 6th that it will begin a demonstration project for the reimbursement of whole blood transfusions and blood component administration by ambulance services covered by TRICARE during ground ALS2 and SCT transports, and air ambulance transports. *Note that this is in addition to the applicable base rate payment. In this respect, the TRICARE demonstration project will differ from the Medicare rule, which includes blood transfusions as one of the eligible ALS2 interventions (i.e., no separate reimbursement above the ALS2 rate).
The TRICARE demonstration project, for covered ALS2, SCT or air ambulance transports, will pay an additional amount of the higher of either (1) the Hospital OPPS rate under HCPCS Code P9010 (currently $189.84 per unit) or (2) the cost of the blood or blood components based on a blood bank invoice. TRICARE will also pay an additional fee of approximately $40 for the administration of the blood or blood products, using CPT code 36430, which is significant because it is one of the first instances of any Federal payer reimbursing for service of an EMS clinician above and beyond the transport reimbursement.
The five-year TRICARE demonstration project will start January 1, 2027 and is scheduled to conclude on December 31, 2031 (though remember, prior Federal demonstration projects have been ended early by various agencies).
PWW|AG will break down what this announcement means for EMS agencies, reimbursement, and the future of prehospital blood administration at abc360 in Hershey, PA, October 17–21, 2026. Registration opens soon.
In the meantime, download our Prehospital Blood Administration Programs – Flash Poll: Economics report -> https://shorturl.at/TJDU3
OR register for The Price of Saving Lives webinar to explore the financial realities of prehospital blood administration. -> https://shorturl.at/TWagQ