From Documentation to Demonstrated Value: Why EMS Data Is the Foundation of Sustainable Operations
Updated on: August 19, 2026
Published on: August 19, 2026
In the new white paper, “From Documentation to Demonstrated Value: The Strategic Role of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Data”, PCG’s Brian Carnes examines why high-quality data collection and documentation have become essential to the future of EMS. As healthcare shifts toward value-based care and agencies face increasing pressure to demonstrate outcomes, EMS organizations must leverage data to support funding, improve patient care, strengthen compliance, and validate their impact across the healthcare continuum.
The white paper explores how accurate, standardized EMS data can help agencies secure sustainable reimbursement, support cost-of-service analyses and rate-setting initiatives, improve clinical decision-making, and meet evolving federal and state reporting requirements. It also highlights common challenges, including interoperability gaps, inconsistent documentation practices, and limited analytics capabilities, while providing practical recommendations for building a high-reliability EMS data strategy.
Download the white paper to learn how stronger EMS data practices can help agencies demonstrate value and prepare for the future of emergency medical services.
About the Authors
Alexis Barkett
Alexis Barkett is a Consultant at Public Consulting Group LLC (PCG) and has been with the firm since 2021. Since joining PCG, she has supported a variety of school-based services (SBS) and Ambulance Supplemental Payment Program (ASPP) Medicaid cost reporting projects. For the State of Utah School-Based Medicaid Program, Barkett oversaw the completion of Medicaid cost reports to identify possible reporting errors and worked closely with Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to ensure that finalized reports were completed accurately and in compliance with all reporting requirements. She currently serves as the project manager for the Wisconsin Certified Public Expenditure (CPE) Program, as well as the Colorado EMS Supplemental Payment Program. Prior to joining PCG, she earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Siena College.
Brian Carnes
Brian Carnes, Senior Consultant at Public Consulting Group LLC (PCG), bringing 15 years of government relations experience working primarily in the public health and social services sectors. Carnes has worked to improve health outcomes, expand health coverage and services for vulnerable populations, and introduce quality improvement metrics to state-run programs. Most recently, Carnes worked with private-sector Medicaid providers to drive quality results through innovative state funding mechanisms and grant projects.
Dr. Vanessa Millar, DBA
Dr. Vanessa Millar, DBA, is a Consultant with Public Consulting Group LLC’s (PCG) Healthcare Financial and Strategic Solutions (FSS) Center of Excellence, where she specializes in healthcare finance, reimbursement strategy, and financial consulting for governmental EMS providers. She currently serves as the project manager for Florida’s Public Emergency Medical Transportation (PEMT) Program and New Mexico’s Emergency Ground Ambulance Services (EGAS) Program, leading initiatives in Medicaid supplemental payment programs, cost reporting, reimbursement modeling, cost-of-service analyses (COSA), and ambulance rate-setting. Dr. Millar holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Florida, as well as a Doctor of Business Administration in Project Management from Liberty University.