Ambulance Reimbursement Policy

Description

An ambulance is a specially equipped vehicle designed and supplied with materials and devices to provide life-saving and supportive treatments or interventions during the transportation of ill or injured patients. The patient’s clinical condition is such that the use of any other method of transportation would be contraindicated.

The vehicle must be designed and equipped to respond to medical emergencies and, in non-emergency situations, be capable of transporting individuals with acute medical conditions.

Ambulance and medical transport services may involve ground, air or sea transport in both emergency and non-emergency situations.

Policy

Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) will reimburse for ambulance transport, services and supplies according to the criteria outlined in this policy.

Reimbursement Guidelines

Ambulance transport, services and supplies submitted on a professional claim form are only eligible when filed with place of service 41 or 42.

Ambulance transport, services and supplies submitted on a facility claim form are only eligible when filed with bill types 013x, 022x, 023x, 083x, or 085x.

Reimbursement of revenue code 540 is limited to ambulance related services.

Ambulance Services and Supplies

The ambulance is medically equipped to include all supplies and services to provide the patient with the quality and care consistent with the transport level of care. These essential items and supplies provided by the ambulance are not separately reimbursable and are considered incidental to ambulance transport services.

Ambulance Transport 

Ambulance transport services are not eligible for reimbursement when the destination and origination modifiers are not present.

Ambulance transport or ambulance services are not eligible for reimbursement when modifiers QN or QM are not present on a facility claim form.

Air ambulance services and transport are only eligible for reimbursement when filed with one of the following modifiers: DH, EH, GH, HH, HI, IH, II, JH, NH, PH, RH, SH, SI.

Ambulance mileage is only eligible for reimbursement when an ambulance transport code has been reimbursed for the same date of service.

Ambulance transport is only eligible for reimbursement when ambulance mileage has been submitted for the same date of service, unless transport is filed with modifier QL.

Member Deceased After Ambulance Called But Prior To Transport (Modifier QL)

Reimbursement for ambulance services will be limited to basic life support (BLS).

Ambulance Mileage is not eligible for reimbursement.

Billing and Coding

Applicable codes are for reference only and may not be all inclusive. For further information on reimbursement guidelines, please see the Blue Cross NC web site at Blue Cross NC.

Related policy

Modifier Guidelines (EDIT: Link not currently working KS)

Ambulance and Medical Transport Services (Medical Policy)

References

CMS Processing Manual - Ambulance

History

6/13/2023 New policy developed. Medical director approved. Notification on 06/13/2023 for effective date 08/15/2023 (tlc)

Application

These reimbursement requirements apply to all commercial, Administrative Services Only (ASO), and Blue Card Inter-Plan Program Host members (other Plans members who seek care from the NC service area). This policy does not apply to Blue Cross NC members who seek care in other states.

This policy relates only to the services or supplies described herein. Please refer to the Member's Benefit Booklet for availability of benefits. Member's benefits may vary according to benefit design; therefore member benefit language should be reviewed before applying the terms of this policy.