Ambulance Transportation Medical billing has been under the lens of Medicare for a very long time due to the fabrication of medical charges and unreasonable billing rates for patients during an emergency. In September 2015, a report was released by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) after studying Medicare Part B Ambulance claims.
The report clearly stated that almost 20 percent of ambulance providers have inappropriate methods and questionable billing for ambulance transport.
Medicare is worried if the gaping holes in the system can be identified and used to exploit the opportunity. The OIG identified few key points,
- Ambulance Transport for beneficiaries that didn’t receive any Medicare at the point of origin and destination.
- Mileage report has been towards the higher part for the urban areas.
- Transport levels for the destinations that aren’t covered.
Though each of the points remains to be evaluated based on the patient health, transport facilities available in the region, and also demand for specialized care in case of emergency.
Emergency vehicle administrations are secured under Medicare Part B when outfitted to a Medicare recipient under the conditions recorded beneath. Real transportation of the recipient happens. Recipient transported to a suitable destination.
Transportation by Ambulance vehicle must be therapeutically important, i.e., the recipient’s medicinal condition is with the end goal that different types of transportation are restoratively contraindicated. Ambulance Transportation supplier/provider meets all pertinent vehicles, staffing, charging, and revealing prerequisites. Transportation isn’t viewed as a major aspect of a Part An administration.
Ambulance billing companies across the nation need to evaluate their billing procedures before they can control the billing cycles. Below we give you an overview of Ambulance Transportation Billing,
Claim Data Elements
Type of Bill
You must report the appropriate type of bill. The most common TOBs for ambulance services are:
13X – outpatient hospital
22X – inpatient Part B ancillary (skilled nursing facility)
23X – outpatient skilled nursing facility
85X – outpatient CAH (critical access hospital)
Condition code
Report condition code B2 if you meet the CAH 35 mile run.
Value code/amount
Report value code 32 with the number of patients transported when transporting more than one patient at a time to the same destination.
Report value code A0 along with the zip code identifying the point of pick-up.
Revenue code
Report revenue code 0540 on the claim for ambulance services.
Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS)
HCPCS |
Definition |
A0426 | Ambulance service, Advanced Life Support (ALS), non-emergency transport, Level 1 |
A0427 | Ambulance service, ALS, emergency transport, Level 1 |
A0428 | Ambulance service, Basic Life Support (BLS) non-emergency transport |
A0429 | Ambulance service, BLS, emergency transport |
A0430 | Ambulance service, conventional air services, transport, one way, fixed-wing |
A0431 | Ambulance service, conventional air services, transport, one way, rotary wing |
A0432 | Paramedic Intercept, rural area volunteer ambulance |
A0433 | Ambulance service, ALS, level 2 |
A0434 | Ambulance service, specialty care transport |
A0425 | BLS/ALS mileage, per statute mile |
A0435 | Fixed-wing air mileage, per statute mile |
A0436 | Rotary wing air mileage, per statute mile |
A0888 | Mileage Beyond the Nearest Facility (noncovered) |
Ambulance Modifiers
Report the most appropriate modifier in the claim. Also, the required documentation should be maintained before sending in the claim.
Line item dates of service
You must report the date of service on each revenue code line.
Units
Report 1 unit with HCPCs codes A0426, A0427, A0428, A0429, A0430, A0431, A0432, A0433, or A0434.
Report the number of loaded miles with HCPCs codes A0425, A0435, or A0436 (mileage must be reported as fractional units). You may round up/down to one decimal place.
The above offers an overview of the claim filing documentation and requirements that can be evaluated. Each procedure and steps need to be further studied before they can breakdown for a better procedural task for medical billing.
About Us:
Medical Billers and Coders (MBC) a medical billing and coding company have channelized Ambulance Transportation Medical Billing for more than 80 facilities across United States (US). With trained medical coders and billers we have evaluated the situational medical billing for ambulance transportation that’s causing losses for the facilities.
FAQs:
1: What is the main concern with Medicare and ambulance billing?
Medicare is worried about inappropriate billing practices, as a report found that nearly 20% of ambulance providers use questionable methods.
2: When is ambulance transportation covered by Medicare?
Ambulance services are covered when the patient’s condition requires transport that is medically necessary and when transported to an appropriate facility.
3: What are some common types of bills for ambulance services?
The most common types of bills include 13X for outpatient hospitals and 22X for inpatient Part B ancillary services.
4: What documentation is required for ambulance claims?
Providers must report the type of bill, condition codes, revenue codes, and line item dates of service, along with appropriate HCPCS codes.
5: How can ambulance billing companies improve their processes?
They need to evaluate and refine their billing procedures to ensure compliance with Medicare guidelines and minimize losses.