< Back to the main Ambulance Articles page
Ambulance Fee Schedule – Medical Conditions List and Instructions (AMB)
Posted March 2, 2007
The Medical Conditions List is intended primarily as an educational guideline. It will help ambulance providers and suppliers to communicate the patient’s condition to Medicare contractors, as reported by the dispatch center and as observed by the ambulance crew. Use of the medical conditions list information does not guarantee payment of the claim or payment for a certain level of service. Ambulance providers and suppliers must retain adequate documentation of dispatch instructions, patient’s condition, and miles traveled, all of which must be available in the event the claim is selected for medical review (MR) by the Medicare contractor or other oversight authority. Medicare contractors will rely on medical record documentation to justify coverage. The Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code or the medical conditions list information by themselves are not sufficient to justify coverage. All current Medicare ambulance policies remain in place.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the Medical Conditions List as guidance via a manual revision as a result of interest expressed in the ambulance industry for this tool. While the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes are not precluded from use on ambulance claims, they are currently not required (per Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)) on most ambulance claims, and these codes generally do not trigger a payment or a denial of a claim. Some carriers and fiscal intermediaries have local coverage determinations (LCD) in place that cite ICD-9-CM that can be added to the claim to assist in documenting that the services are reasonable and necessary, but this is not common. Since ICD-9-CM codes are not required and are not consistently used, not all carriers or fiscal intermediaries edit on this field, and it is not possible to edit on the narrative field. The ICD-9-CM codes are generally not part of the edit process, although the Medical Conditions List is available for those who do find it helpful in justifying that services are reasonable and necessary.
The Medical Conditions List is set up with an initial column of primary ICD-9-CM codes, followed by an alternative column of ICD-9-CM codes. The primary ICD-9-CM code column contains general ICD-9-CM codes that fit the transport conditions as described in the subsequent columns. Ambulance crew or billing staff with limited knowledge of ICD-9-CM coding would be expected to choose the one or one of the two ICD-9-CM codes listed in this column to describe the appropriate ambulance transport and then place the ICD-9-CM code in the space on the claim form designated for an ICD-9-CM code. The option to include other information in the narrative field always exists and can be used whenever an ambulance provider or supplier believes that the information may be useful for claims processing purposes. If an ambulance crew or billing staff member has more comprehensive clinical knowledge, then that person may select an ICD-9-CM code from the alternative ICD-9-CM code column. These ICD-9-CM codes are more specific and detailed. An ICD-9-CM code does not need to be selected from both the primary column and the alternative column. However, in several instances in the alternative ICD-9-CM code column, there is a selection of codes and the word “PLUS.” In these instances, the ambulance provider or supplier would select an ICD-9-CM code from the first part of the alternative listing (before the word “PLUS”) and at least one other ICD-9-CM code from the second part of the alternative listing (after the word “PLUS”). The ambulance claim form does provide space for the use of multiple ICD-9-CM codes. Please see the example below:
The ambulance arrives on the scene. A beneficiary is experiencing the specific abnormal vital sign of elevated blood pressure, however, the beneficiary does not normally suffer from hypertension (ICD-9-CM code 796.2 (from the alternative column on the Medical Conditions List)). In addition, the beneficiary is extremely dizzy (ICD-9-CM code 780.4 (fits the “PLUS any other code” requirement when using the alternative list for this condition (abnormal vital signs))). The ambulance crew can list these two ICD-9-CM codes on the claim form, or the general ICD-9-CM code for this condition (796.4 – Other abnormal clinical findings) would work just as well. None of these ICD-9-CM codes will determine whether or not this claim will be paid; they will only assist the contractor in making a medical review determination, provided all other Medicare ambulance coverage policies have been followed.
While the medical conditions/ICD-9-CM code list is intended to be comprehensive, there may be unusual circumstances that warrant the need for ambulance services using ICD-9-CM codes not on this list. During the medical review process, contractors may accept other relevant information from the providers or suppliers that will build the appropriate case that justifies the need for ambulance transport for a patient condition not found on the list.
Because it is critical to accurately communicate the condition of the patient during the ambulance transport, most claims will contain only the ICD-9-CM code that most closely informs the Medicare contractor why the patient required the ambulance transport. This code is intended to correspond to the description of the patient’s symptoms and condition once the ambulance personnel are at the patient’s side. For example, if an Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance responds to a condition on the medical conditions list that warrants an ALS-level response and the patient’s condition on-scene also corresponds to an ALS-level condition, the submitted claim need only include the code that most accurately reflects the on-scene condition of the patient as the reason for transport. (All claims are required to have HCPCS codes on them, and may have modifiers as well.) Similarly, if a Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance responds to a condition on the medical conditions list that warrants a BLS-level response and the patient’s condition on-scene also corresponds to a BLS-level condition, the submitted claim need only include the code that most accurately reflects the on-scene condition of the patient as the reason for transport.
When a request for service is received by ambulance dispatch personnel for a condition that necessitates the skilled assessment of an advanced life support paramedic based upon the medical conditions list, an ALS-level ambulance would be appropriately sent to the scene. If upon arrival of the ambulance the actual condition encountered by the crew corresponds to a BLS-level situation, this claim would require two separate condition codes from the medical condition list to be processed correctly. The first code would correspond to the “reason for transport” or the on-scene condition of the patient. Because in this example, this code corresponds to a BLS condition, a second code that corresponds to the dispatch information would be necessary for inclusion on the claim in order to support payment at the ALS level. In these cases, when MR is performed, the Medicare contractor will analyze all claim information (including both codes) and other supplemental medical documentation to support the level of service billed on the claim.
Contractors may have (or may develop) individual local policies that indicate that some codes are not appropriate for payment in some circumstances. These continue to remain in effect.
Information on Appropriate Use of Transportation Indicators
When a claim is submitted for payment, an ICD-9-CM code from the medical conditions list that best describes the patient’s condition and the medical necessity for the transport may be chosen. In addition to this code, one of the transportation indicators below may be included on the claim to indicate why it was necessary for the patient to be transported in a particular way or circumstance. The provider or supplier will place the transportation indicator in the “narrative” field on the claim.
Air and Ground
- Transportation Indicator C1: Transportation indicator C1 indicates an interfacility transport (to a higher level of care) determined necessary by the originating facility based upon Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) regulations and guidelines. The patient’s condition should also be reported on the claim with a code selected from either the emergency or non-emergency category on the list.
- Transportation Indicator C2: Transportation indicator C2 indicates a patient is being transported from one facility to another because a service or therapy required to treat the patient’s condition is not available at the originating facility. The patient’s condition should also be reported on the claim with a code selected from either the emergency or non-emergency category on the list. In addition, the information about what service the patient requires that was not available should be included in the narrative field of the claim.
- Transportation Indicator C3: Transportation indicator C3 may be included on claims as a secondary code where a response was made to a major incident or mechanism of injury. All such responses – regardless of the type of patient or patients found once on scene – are appropriately Advanced Level Service responses. A code that describes the patient’s condition found on scene should also be included on the claim, but use of this modifier is intended to indicate that the highest level of service available response was medically justified. Some examples of these types of responses would include patient(s) trapped in machinery, explosions, a building fire with persons reported inside, major incidents involving aircraft, buses, subways, trains, watercraft and victims entrapped in vehicles.
- Transportation Indicator C4: Transportation indicator C4 indicates that an ambulance provided a medically necessary transport, but the number of miles on the claim form appear to be excessive. This should be used only if the facility is on divert status or a particular service is not available at the time of transport only. The provider or supplier must have documentation on file clearly showing why the beneficiary was not transported to the nearest facility and may include this information in the narrative field.
Ground Only
- Transportation Indicator C5: Transportation indicator C5 has been added for situations where a patient with an ALS-level condition is encountered, treated, and transported by a BLS-level ambulance with no ALS level involvement whatsoever. This situation would occur when ALS resources are not available to respond to the patient encounter for any number of reasons, but the ambulance service is informing you that although the patient transported had an ALS-level condition, the actual service rendered was through a BLS-level ambulance in a situation where an ALS-level ambulance was not available.
For example, a BLS ambulance is dispatched at the emergency level to pick up a 76-yearold beneficiary who has undergone cataract surgery at the Eye Surgery Center. The patient is weak and dizzy with a history of high blood pressure, myocardial infarction, and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the on-scene ICD-9-CM equivalent of the medical condition is 780.02 (unconscious, fainting, syncope, near syncope, weakness, or dizziness – ALS Emergency). In this case, the ICD-9-CM code 780.02 would be entered on the ambulance claim form as well as transportation indicator C5 to provide the further information that the BLS ambulance transported a patient with an ALS-level condition, but there was no intervention by an ALS service. This claim would be paid at the BLS level.
- Transportation Indicator C6: Transportation indicator C6 has been added for situations when an ALS-level ambulance would always be the appropriate resource chosen based upon medical dispatch protocols to respond to a request for service. If once on scene, the crew determines that the patient requiring transport has a BLS-level condition, this transportation indicator should be included on the claim to indicate why the ALS-level response was indicated based upon the information obtained in the operation’s dispatch center. Claims including this transportation indicator should contain two primary codes. The first condition will indicate the BLS-level condition corresponding to the patient’s condition found on-scene and during the transport. The second condition will indicate the ALS-level condition corresponding to the information at the time of dispatch that indicated the need for an ALS-level response based upon medically appropriate dispatch protocols.
- Transportation Indicator C7: Transportation indicator C7 is for those circumstances where IV medications were required en route. C7 is appropriately used for patients requiring ALS level transport in a non-emergent situation primarily because the patient requires monitoring of ongoing medications administered intravenously. Does not apply to self-administered medications. Does not include administration of crystalloid intravenous fluids (i.e., normal saline, lactate ringers, 5% dextrose in water, etc.). The patient’s condition should also be reported on the claim with a code selected from the list.
Air Only
- All “transportation indicators” imply a clinical benefit to the time saved with transporting a patient by an air ambulance versus a ground or water ambulance.
- D1: Long Distance – patient’s condition requires rapid transportation over a long distance.
- D2: Under rare and exceptional circumstances, traffic patterns preclude ground transport at the time the response is required.
- D3: Time to get to the closest appropriate hospital due to the patient’s condition precludes transport by ground ambulance. Unstable patient with need to minimize out-of-hospital time to maximize clinical benefits to the patient.
- D4: Pick up point not accessible by ground transportation.
Ambulance Fee Schedule – Medical Conditions List
| Emergency Conditions - Non-Traumatic |
| 535.50 |
458.9, 780.2, 787.01, 787.02, 787.03, 789.01, 789.02, 789.03, 789.04, 789.05, 789.06, 789.07, 789.09, 789.60 through 789.69, or 789.40 through 789.49 PLUS any other code from 780 through 799 except 793, 794, and 795. |
Severe abdominal pain. |
With other signs or symptoms. |
ALS |
Nausea, vomiting, fainting, pulsatile mass, distention, rigid, tenderness on exam, guarding. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 789.00 |
726.2, 789.01, 789.02, 789.03, 789.04, 789.05, 789.06, 789.07, or 789.09. |
Abdominal pain. |
Without other signs or symptoms. |
BLS |
|
A0429 |
| 427.9 |
426.0, 426.3, 426.4, 426.6, 426.11, 426.13, 426.50, 426.53, 427.0, 427.1, 427.2, 427.31, 427.32, 427.41, 427.42, 427.5, 427.60, 427.61, 427.69, 427.81, 427.89, 785.0, 785.50, 785.51, 785.52, or 785.59. |
Abnormal cardiac rhythm/ cardiac dysrythmia. |
Potentially life-threatening. |
ALS |
Bradycardia, junctional and ventricular blocks, nonsinus tachycardias, PVC's > 6, bi and trigeminy, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, atrial flutter, PEA, asystole, AICD/AED Fired. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 780.8 |
782.5 or 782.6. |
Abnormal skin signs. |
|
ALS |
Diaphorhesis, cyanosis, delayed cap refill, poor turgor, mottled. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 796.4 |
458.9, 780.6, 785.9, 796.2, or 796.3 PLUS any other code from 780 through 799. |
Abnormal vital signs (includes abnormal pulse oximetry). |
With or without symptoms. |
ALS |
|
A0427/A0433 |
| 995.0 |
995.1, 995.2, 995.3, 995.4, 995.60, 995.61, 995.62, 995.63, 995.64, 995.65, 995.66, 995.67, 995.68, 995.69 or 995.7. |
Allergic reaction. |
Potentially life-threatening. |
ALS |
Other emergency conditions, rapid progression of symptoms, prior hx. of anaphylaxis, wheezing, difficulty swallowing. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 692.9 |
692.0, 692.1, 692.2, 692.3, 692.4, 692.5, 692.6, 692.70, 692.71, 692.72, 692.73, 692.74, 692.75, 692.76, 692.77, 692.79, 692.81, 692.82, 692.83, 692.89, 692.9, 693.0, 693.1, 693.8, 693.9, 695.9, 698.9, 708.9, 782.1. |
Allergic reaction. |
Other. |
BLS |
Hives, itching, rash, slow onset, local swelling, redness, erythema. |
A0429 |
| 790.21 |
790.22, 250.02, or 250.03. |
Blood glucose. |
Abnormal < 80 or > 250, with symptoms. |
ALS |
Altered mental status, vomiting, signs of dehydration. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 799.1 |
786.02, 786.03, 786.04, or 786.09. |
Respiratory arrest. |
|
ALS |
Apnea, hypoventilation requiring ventilatory assistance and airway management. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 786.05 |
|
Difficulty breathing. |
|
ALS |
|
A0427/A0433 |
| 427.5 |
|
Cardiac arrest - resuscitation in progress. |
|
ALS |
|
A0427/A0433 |
| 786.50 |
786.51, 786.52, or 786.59. |
Chest pain (non-traumatic). |
|
ALS |
Dull, severe, crushing, substernal, epigastric, left sided chest pain associated with pain of the jaw, left arm, neck, back, and nausea, vomiting, palpitations, pallor, diaphoresis, decreased LOC. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 784.99 |
933.0 or 933.1. |
Choking episode. |
Airway obstructed or partially obstructed. |
ALS |
|
A0427/A0433 |
| 991.6 |
|
Cold exposure. |
Potentially life or limb threatening. |
ALS |
Temperature < 95F, deep frost bite, other emergency conditions. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 991.9 |
991.0, 991.1, 991.2, 991.3, or 991.4. |
Cold exposure. |
With symptoms. |
BLS |
Shivering, superficial frost bite, and other emergency conditions. |
A0429 |
| 780.97 |
780.02, 780.03, or 780.09. |
Altered level of consciousness (non-traumatic). |
|
ALS |
Acute condition with Glascow Coma Scale < 15. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 780.39 |
345.00, 345.01, 345.2, 345.3, 345.10, 345.11, 345.40, 345.41, 345.50, 345.51, 345.60, 345.61, 345.70, 345.71, 345.80, 345.81, 345.90, 345.91, or 780.31. |
Convulsions, seizures. |
Seizing, immediate post-seizure, postictal, or at risk of seizure & requires medical monitoring/ observation. |
ALS |
|
A0427/A0433 |
| 379.90 |
368.11, 368.12, or 379.91. |
Eye symptoms, non-traumatic. |
Acute vision loss and/or severe pain. |
BLS |
|
A0429 |
| 437.9 |
784.0 PLUS 781.0, 781.1, 781.2, 781.3, 781.4, or 781.8. |
Non-traumatic headache. |
With neurologic distress conditions or sudden severe onset. |
ALS |
|
A0427/A0433 |
| 785.1 |
|
Cardiac symptoms other than chest pain. |
Palpitations, skipped beats. |
ALS |
|
A0427/A0433 |
| 536.2 |
787.01, 787.02, 787.03, 780.79, 786.8, or 786.52. |
Cardiac symptoms other than chest pain. |
Atypical pain or other symptoms. |
ALS |
Persistent nausea and vomiting, weakness, hiccups, pleuritic pain, feeling of impending doom, and other emergency conditions. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 992.5 |
992.0, 992.1, 992.3, 992.4, or 992.5. |
Heat exposure. |
Potentially life-threatening. |
ALS |
Hot and dry skin, Temp > 105, neurologic distress, signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, orthostatic vitals, other emergency conditions. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 992.2 |
992.6, 992.7, 992.8, or 992.9. |
Heat exposure. |
With symptoms. |
BLS |
Muscle cramps, profuse sweating, fatigue. |
A0429 |
| 459.0 |
569.3, 578.0, 578.1, 578.9, 596.7, 596.8, 623.8, 626.9, 637.1, 634.1, 666.00, 666.02, 666.04, 666.10, 666.12, 666.14, 666.20, 666.22, 666.24, 674.30, 674.32, 674.34, 786.3, 784.7, or 998.11. |
Hemorrhage. |
Severe (quantity) and potentially life-threatening. |
ALS |
Uncontrolled or significant signs of shock or other emergency conditions. Severe, active vaginal, rectal bleeding, hematemesis, hemoptysis, epistaxis, active post-surgical bleeding. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 038.9 |
136.9, any other condition in the 001 through 139 code range which would require isolation. |
Infectious diseases requiring isolation procedures / public health risk. |
|
BLS |
|
A0429 |
| 987.9 |
981, 982.0, 982.1, 982.2, 982.3, 982.4, 982.8, 983.0, 983.1, 983.2, 983.9, 984.0, 984.1, 984.8, 984.9, 985.0, 985.1, 985.2, 985.3, 985.4, 985.5, 985.6, 985.8, 985.9, 986, 987.0, 987.1, 987.2, 987.3, 987.4, 987.5, 987.6, 987.7, 987.8, 989.1, 989.2, 989.3, 989.4, 989.6, 989.7, 989.9, or 990. |
Hazmat exposure. |
|
ALS |
Toxic fume or liquid exposure via inhalation, absorption, oral, radiation, smoke inhalation. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 996.00 |
996.01, 996.02, 996.04, 996.09, 996.1, or 996.2. |
Medical device failure. |
Life or limb threatening malfunction, failure, or complication. |
ALS |
Malfunction of ventilator, internal pacemaker, internal defibrillator, implanted drug delivery device. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 996.30 |
996.31, 996.40, 996.41, 996.42, 996.43, 996.44, 996.45, 996.46, 996.47, 996.49, or 996.59. |
Medical device failure. |
Health maintenance device failures that cannot be resolved on location. |
BLS |
Oxygen system supply malfunction, orthopedic device failure. |
A0429 |
| 436 |
291.3, 293.82, 298.9, 344.9, 368.16, 369.9, 780.09, 780.4, 781.0, 781.2, 781.94, 781.99, 782.0, 784.3, 784.5, or 787.2. |
Neurologic distress. |
Facial drooping; loss of vision; aphasia; difficulty swallowing; numbness, tingling extremity; stupor, delirium, confusion, hallucinations; paralysis, paresis (focal weakness); abnormal movements; vertigo; unsteady gait/ balance; slurred speech, unable to speak. |
ALS |
|
A0427/A0433 |
| 780.96 |
|
Pain, severe not otherwise specified in this list. |
Acute onset, unable to ambulate or sit due to intensity of pain. |
ALS |
Pain is the reason for the transport. Use severity scale (7-10 for severe pain) or patient receiving pharmalogic intervention. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 724.5 |
724.2 or 785.9. |
Back pain - non-traumatic (T and/or LS). |
Suspect cardiac or vascular etiology. |
ALS |
Other emergency conditions, absence of or decreased leg pulses, pulsatile abdominal mass, severe tearing abdominal pain. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 724.9 |
724.2, 724.5, 847.1, or 847.2. |
Back pain - non traumatic (T and/or LS). |
Sudden onset of new neurologic symptoms. |
ALS |
Neurologic distress list. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 977.9 |
Any code from 960 through 979. |
Poisons, ingested, injected, inhaled, absorbed. |
Adverse drug reaction, poison exposure by inhalation, injection or absorption. |
ALS |
|
A0427/A0433 |
| 305.0 |
303.00, 303.01, 303.02, 303.03, or any code from 960 through 979. |
Alcohol intoxication or drug overdose (suspected). |
Unable to care for self and unable to ambulate. No airway compromise. |
BLS |
|
A0429 |
| 977.3 |
|
Severe alcohol intoxication. |
Airway may or may not be at risk. Pharmacological intervention or cardiac monitoring may be needed. Decreased level of consciousness resulting or potentially resulting in airway compromise. |
ALS |
|
A0427/A0433 |
| 998.9 |
674.10, 674.12, 674.14, 674.20, 674.22, 674.24, 997.69, 998.31, 998.32, or 998.83. |
Postoperative procedure complications. |
Major wound dehiscence, evisceration, or requires special handling for transport. |
BLS |
Non-life threatening. |
A0429 |
| 650 |
Any code from 660 through 669 or from 630 through 767. |
Pregnancy complication/ Childbirth/Labor. |
|
ALS |
|
A0427/A0433 |
| 292.9 |
291.0, 291.3, 291.81, 292.0, 292.81, 292.82, 292.83, 292.84, or 292.89. |
Psychiatric/Behavioral. |
Abnormal mental status; drug withdrawal. |
ALS |
Disoriented, DTs, withdrawal symptoms. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 298.9 |
300.9. |
Psychiatric/Behavioral. |
Threat to self or others, acute episode or exacerbation of paranoia, or disruptive behavior. |
BLS |
Suicidal, homicidal, or violent. |
A0429 |
| 036.9 |
780.6 PLUS either 784.0 or 723.5. |
Sick person - fever. |
Fever with associated symptoms (headache, stiff neck, etc.). Neurological changes. |
BLS |
Suspected spinal meningitis. |
A0429 |
| 787.01 |
787.02, 787.03, or 787.91. |
Severe dehydration. |
Nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, severe and incapacitating resulting in severe side effects of dehydration. |
ALS |
|
A0427/A0433 |
| 780.02 |
780.2 or 780.4. |
Unconscious, fainting, syncope, near syncope, weakness, or dizziness. |
Transient unconscious episode or found unconscious. Acute episode or exacerbation. |
ALS |
|
A0427/A0433 |
| Emergency Conditions - Trauma |
| 959.8 |
800.00 through 804.99, 807.4, 807.6, 808.8, 808.9, 812.00 through 812.59, 813.00 through 813.93, 813.93, 820.00 through 821.39, 823.00 through 823.92, 851.00 through 866.13, 870.0 through 879.9, 880.00 through 887.7, or 890.0 through 897.7. |
Major trauma. |
As defined by ACS Field Triage Decision Scheme. Trauma with one of the following: Glascow <14; systolic BP <90; RR <10 or >29; all penetrating injuries to head, neck, torso, extremities proximal to elbow or knee; flail chest; combination of trauma and burns; pelvic fracture; 2 or more long bone fractures; open or depressed skull fracture; paralysis; severe mechanism of injury including: ejection, death of another passenger in same patient compartment, falls >20", 20" deformity in vehicle or 12" deformity of patient compartment, auto pedestrian/ bike, pedestrian thrown/run over, motorcycle accident at speeds >20 mph and rider separated from vehicle. |
ALS |
See "Condition Specific" Column |
A0427/A0433 |
| 518.5 |
|
Other trauma. |
Need to monitor or maintain airway. |
ALS |
Decreased LOC, bleeding into airway, trauma to head, face or neck. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 958.2 |
870.0 through 879.9, 880.00 through 887.7, 890.0 through 897.7, or 900.00 through 904.9. |
Other trauma. |
Major bleeding. |
ALS |
Uncontrolled or significant bleeding. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 829.0 |
805.00, 810.00 through 819.1, or 820.00 through 829.1. |
Other trauma. |
Suspected fracture/ dislocation requiring splinting/immobilization for transport. |
BLS |
Spinal, long bones, and joints including shoulder elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle, deformity of bone or joint. |
A0429 |
| 880.00 |
880.00 through 887.7 or 890.0 through 897.7. |
Other trauma. |
Penetrating extremity injuries. |
BLS |
Isolated with bleeding stopped and good CSM. |
A0429 |
| 886.0 or 895.0 |
886.1 or 895.1. |
Other trauma. |
Amputation - digits. |
BLS |
|
A0429 |
| 887.4 or 897.4 |
887.0, 887.1, 887.2, 887.3, 887.6, 887.7, 897.0, 897.1, 897.2, 897.3, 897.5, 897.6, or 897.7. |
Other trauma |
Amputation - all other. |
ALS |
|
A0427/A0433 |
| 869.0 or 869.1 |
511.8, 512.8, 860.2, 860.3, 860.4, 860.5, 873.8, 873.9, or 959.01. |
Other trauma. |
Suspected internal, head, chest, or abdominal injuries. |
ALS |
Signs of closed head injury, open head injury, pneumothorax, hemothorax, abdominal bruising, positive abdominal signs on exam, internal bleeding criteria, evisceration. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 949.3 |
941.30 through 941.39, 942.30 through 942.39, 943.30 through 943.39, 944.30 through 944.38, 945.30 through 945.39, or 949.3. |
Burns. |
Major - per American Burn Association (ABA). |
ALS |
Partial thickness burns > 10% total body surface area (TBSA); involvement of face, hands, feet, genitalia, perineum, or major joints; third degree burns; electrical; chemical; inhalation; burns with preexisting medical disorders; burns and trauma. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 949.2 |
941.20 through 941.29, 942.20 through 942.29, 943.20 through 943.29, 944.20 through 944.28, 945.20 through 945.29, or 949.2. |
Burns. |
Minor - per ABA. |
BLS |
Other burns than listed above. |
A0429 |
| 989.5 |
|
Animal bites, stings, envenomation. |
Potentially life or limb-threatening. |
ALS |
Symptoms of specific envenomation, significant face, neck, trunk, and extremity involvement; other emergency conditions. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 879.8 |
Any code from 870.0 through 897.7. |
Animal bites/sting/ envenomation. |
Other. |
BLS |
Local pain and swelling or special handling considerations (not related to obesity) and patient monitoring required. |
A0429 |
| 994.0 |
|
Lightning. |
|
ALS |
|
A0427/A0433 |
| 994.8 |
|
Electrocution. |
|
ALS |
|
A0427/A0433 |
| 994.1 |
|
Near drowning. |
Airway compromised during near drowning event. |
ALS |
|
A0427/A0433 |
| 921.9 |
870.0 through 870.9, 871.0, 871.1, 871.2, 871.3, 871.4, 871.5, 871.6, 871.7, 871.9, or 921.0 through 921.9. |
Eye injuries. |
Acute vision loss or blurring, severe pain or chemical exposure, penetrating, severe lid lacerations. |
BLS |
|
A0429 |
| 995.83 |
995.53 or V71.5 PLUS any code from 925.1 through 929.9, 930.0 through 939.9, 958.0 through 958.8, or 959.01 through 959.9. |
Sexual assault. |
With major injuries. |
ALS |
Reference codes 959.8, 958.2, 869.0/869.1. |
A0427/A0433 |
| 995.80 |
995.53 or V71.5 PLUS any code from 910.0 through 919.9, 920 through 924.9, or 959.01 through 959.9. |
Sexual assault. |
With minor or no injuries. |
BLS |
|
A0429 |
| Non-Emergency |
| 428.9 |
|
Cardiac/hemodynamic monitoring required en route. |
|
ALS |
Expectation monitoring is needed before and after transport. |
A0426 |
| 518.81 or 518.89 |
V46.11 or V46.12. |
Advanced airway management. |
|
ALS |
Ventilator dependent, apnea monitor, possible intubation needed, deep suctioning. |
A0426, A0434 |
| 293.0 |
|
Chemical restraint. |
|
ALS |
|
A0426 |
| 496 |
491.20, 491.21, 492.0 through 492.8, 493.20, 493.21, 493.22, 494.0, or 494.1. |
Suctioning required en route, need for titrated O2 therapy or IV fluid management. |
|
BLS |
Per transfer instructions. |
A0428 |
| 786.09 |
|
Airway control/ positioning required en route. |
|
BLS |
Per transfer instructions. |
A0428 |
| 492.8 |
491.20, 491.21, 492.0 through 492.8, 493.20, 493.21, 493.22, 494.0, or 494.1. |
Third party assistance/ attendant required to apply, administer, or regulate or adjust oxygen en route. |
|
BLS |
Does not apply to patient capable of self-administration of portable or home O2. Patient must require oxygen therapy and be so frail as to require assistance. |
A0428 |
| 298.9 |
Add 295.0 through 295.9 with 5th digits of 0, 1, 3, or 4, 296.00 or 299.90. |
Patient safety: danger to self or others - in restraints. |
|
BLS |
Refer to definition in 42 C.F.R. §482.13(e). |
A0428 |
| 293.1 |
|
Patient safety: danger to self or others - monitoring. |
|
BLS |
Behavioral or cognitive risk such that patient requires monitoring for safety. |
A0428 |
| 298.8 |
Add 295.0 through 295.9 with 5th digits of 0, 1, 3, or 4, 296.00 or 299.90. |
Patient safety: danger to self or others - seclusion (flight risk). |
|
BLS |
Behavioral or cognitive risk such that patient requires attendant to assure patient does not try to exit the ambulance prematurely. Refer to 42 C.F.R. §482.13(f)(2) for definition. |
A0428 |
| 781.3 |
Add 295.0 through 295.9 with 5th digits of 0, 1, 3, or 4, 296.00 or 299.90. |
Patient safety: risk of falling off wheelchair or stretcher while in motion (not related to obesity). |
|
BLS |
Patient's physical condition is such that patient risks injury during vehicle movement despite restraints. Indirect indicators include MDS criteria. |
A0428 |
| 041.9 |
|
Special handling en route - isolation. |
|
BLS |
Includes patients with communicable diseases or hazardous material exposure who must be isolated from public or whose medical condition must be protected from public exposure; surgical drainage complications. |
A0428 |
| 907.2 |
|
Special handling en route to reduce pain - orthopedic device. |
|
BLS |
Backboard, halotraction, use of pins and traction, etc. Pain may be present. |
A0428 |
| 719.45 or 719.49 |
718.40, 718.45, 718.49, or 907.2. |
Special handling en route - positioning requires specialized handling. |
|
BLS |
Requires special handling to avoid further injury (such as with >grade 2 decubiti on buttocks). Generally does not apply to shorter transfers of <1 hour. Positioning in wheelchair or standard car seat inappropriate due to contractures or recent extremity fractures - post-op hip as an example. |
A0428 |
| Transportation Indicators |
| C1 |
Interfacility Transport |
EMTALA-certified interfacility transfer to a higher level of care. |
Beneficiary requires higher level of care. |
BLS, ALS, SCT, FW, RW |
Excludes patient-requested EMTALA transfer. |
A0428, A0429, A0426, A0427, A0433, A0434 |
| C2 |
Interfacility Transport |
Service not available at originating facility, and must meet one or more emergency or non-emergency conditions. |
|
BLS, ALS, SCT, FW, RW |
|
A0428, A0429, A0426, A0427, A0433, A0434 |
| C3 |
Emergency Trauma Dispatch Condition Code |
Major incident or mechanism of injury. |
Major Incident - This transportation indicator is to be used ONLY as a secondary code when the on-scene encounter is a BLS-level patient. |
ALS |
Trapped in machinery, close proximity to explosion, building fire with persons reported inside, major incident involving aircraft, bus, subway, metro, train and watercraft. Victim entrapped in vehicle. |
A0427/A0433 |
| C4 |
Medically necessary transport but not to the nearest facility. |
BLS or ALS response. |
Indicates to carrier/intermediary that an ambulance provided a medically necessary transport, but that the number of miles on the Medicare claim form may be excessive. |
BLS/ALS |
This should occur if the facility is on divert status or the particular service is not available at the time of transport only. In these instances, the ambulance units should clearly document why the beneficiary was not transported to the nearest facility. |
Based on transport level. |
| C5 |
BLS Transport of ALS-Level Patient |
ALS-level condition treated and transport by a BLS-level ambulance. |
This transportation indicator is used for ALL situations where a BLS-level ambulance treats and transports a patient that presents an ALS-level condition. No ALS-level assessment or intervention occurs at all during the patient encounter. |
BLS |
|
A0429 |
| C6 |
ALS-Level Response to BLS-Level Patient |
ALS response required based upon appropriate dispatch protocols - BLS-level patient transport. |
Indicates to carrier/ intermediary that an ALS-level ambulance responded appropriately based upon the information received at the time the call was received in dispatch and after a clinically appropriate ALS-assessment was performed on scene, it was determined that the condition of the patient was at a BLS level. These claims, properly documented, should be reimbursed at an ALS-1 level based upon coverage guidelines under the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule. |
ALS |
|
A0427 |
| C7 |
|
IV meds required en route. |
This transportation indicator is used for patients that require an ALS level transport in a non-emergent situation primarily because the patient requires monitoring of ongoing medications administered intravenously. Does not apply to self-administered medications. Does not include administration of crystalloid intravenous fluids (i.e., normal saline, lactate ringers, 5% dextrose in water, etc.). The patient's condition should also be reported on the claim with a code selected from the list. |
ALS |
Does not apply to self-administered IV medications. |
A0426 |
| Air Ambulance Transportation Indicators |
| D1 |
|
Long distance - patient's condition requires rapid transportation over a long distance. |
FW, RW |
If the patient's condition warrants only. |
A0430, A0431 |
| D2 |
|
Under rare and exceptional circumstances, traffic patterns preclude ground transport at the time the response is required. |
FW, RW |
|
A0430, A0431 |
| D3 |
|
Time to get to the closest appropriate hospital due to the patient's condition precludes transport by ground ambulance. Unstable patient with need to minimize out-of-hospital time to maximize clinical benefits for the patient. |
FW, RW |
|
A0430, A0431 |
| D4 |
|
Pick-up point not accessible by ground ambulance. |
FW, RW |
|
A0430, A0431 |
Note: HCPCS Crosswalk to ALS1E (A0427) and ALS2 (A0433) would ultimately be determined by the number and type of ALS level services provided during transport. All medical condition codes can be crosswalked to fixed wing and rotor wing HCPCS provided the air ambulance service has documented the medical necessity for air ambulance service versus ground or water ambulance. As a result, codes A0430 (Fixed Wing) and A0431 (Rotor Wing) can be included in Column 7 for each condition listed. |
