Providers must report revenue code 054X and, for services provided before January 1, 2001, one of the following CMS HCPCS codes for each ambulance trip provided during the billing period:
A0030 (discontinued 12/31/2000); A0040 (discontinued 12/31/2000);
A0050 (discontinued 12/31/2000); A0320 (discontinued 12/31/2000); A0322 (discontinued 12/31/2000); A0324 (discontinued 12/31/2000); A0326 (discontinued 12/31/2000); A0328, (discontinued 12/31/2000); or A0330 (discontinued 12/31/2000).
In addition, providers report one of A0380 or A0390 for mileage HCPCS codes. No other HCPCS codes are acceptable for reporting ambulance services and mileage. Providers report one of the following revenue codes:
0540;
0542;
0543;
0545;
0546; or
0548.
Do not report revenue codes 0541, 0544, or 0547.
For claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2001, providers must report revenue code 540 and one of the following HCPCS codes for each ambulance trip provided during the billing period:
A0426; A0427;
A0428; A0429; A0430; A0431; A0432; A0433; or
A0434.
Providers using an ALS vehicle to furnish a BLS level of service report HCPCS code, A0426 (ALS1) or A0427 (ALS1 emergency), and are paid accordingly. In addition, all providers report one of the following mileage HCPCS codes: A0380; A0390; A0435; or A0436.
Since billing requirements do not allow for more than one HCPCS code to be reported for per revenue code line, providers must report revenue code 0540 (ambulance) on two separate and consecutive lines to accommodate both the Part B ambulance service and the mileage HCPCS codes for each ambulance trip provided during the billing period. Each loaded (e.g., a patient is onboard) 1-way ambulance trip must be reported with a unique pair of revenue code lines on the claim. Unloaded trips and mileage are NOT reported.
However, in the case where the beneficiary was pronounced dead after the ambulance is called but before the ambulance arrives at the scene: Payment may be made for a BLS service if a ground vehicle is dispatched or at the fixed wing or rotary wing base rate, as applicable, if an air ambulance is dispatched. Neither mileage nor a rural adjustment would be paid. The blended rate amount will otherwise apply. Providers report the A0428 (BLS) HCPCS code. Providers report modifier QL (Patient pronounced dead after ambulance called) in Form Locator (FL) 44 “HCPCS/Rates” instead of the origin and destination modifier. In addition to the QL modifier, providers report modifier QM or QN.