Would insurance cover Deceased patient ambulance service

DECEASED PARTICIPANTS

An individual is considered to have expired as of the time the individual is pronounced dead by a person who is legally authorized to make such a pronouncement, usually a physician.

• If the participant was pronounced dead before the ambulance was called, no payment is made by MO HealthNet.

• If the participant was pronounced dead after the ambulance was called but prior to arrival at the scene, payment may only be made for mileage from the base to the point of pickup. Transport from point of pickup to destination is not payable; the base rate is not reimbursable.

• If the participant was pronounced after the ambulance arrived on the scene but prior to transport and life saving measures were performed at the scene, the base rate and mileage from base to point of pickup may be covered. ALS level 1 or 2 must be documented in the participant’s trip documentation (reference section 13.3.D of the MO HealthNet Ambulance provider manual for ALS level 1 and 2 service definitions).

• If the participant was pronounced dead while enroute to or upon arrival at the destination, the base rate and mileage from point of pickup to the destination may be covered. ALS level 1 or 2 must be documented in the participant’s trip documentation.

TRANSPORT FOR SPECIALIZED TESTING

Transporting from one hospital to another hospital and return for specialized testing and/or treatment is covered for ground ambulance. One base charge is payable even though two separate trips or waiting time may be involved. The appropriate place of service when billing for specialized testing and/or treatment is 21 (inpatient hospital) since the hospital is both the point of pickup and final estination after receiving services at the diagnostic or therapeutic site. Mileage may be billed if participant transport from point of pickup to the destination and back is more than five miles. Use procedure code A0428HD to bill for transportation for specialized testing and/or treatment.

Transport from one medical facility to another for specialized testing and/or treatment is non-covered for emergency air ambulance services.