Riverbend

Ambulance

Ambulance Services should provide transportation to a hospital or skilled nursing facility when any other vehicle would endanger beneficiary’s health thus qualifying it as medically necessary.  That is, the transport must be to obtain a Medicare covered service, or to return from such a service.

Any vehicle used as an ambulance must be designed and equipped to respond to medical emergencies and, in non-emergency situations, be capable of transporting beneficiaries with acute medical conditions. The vehicle must comply with State or local laws governing the licensing and certification of an emergency medical transportation vehicle. At a minimum, the ambulance must contain a stretcher, linens, emergency medical supplies, oxygen equipment, and other lifesaving emergency medical equipment and be equipped with emergency warning lights, sirens, and telecommunications equipment as required by State or local law. This should include, at a minimum, one 2-way voice radio or wireless telephone.

The Part A intermediary is responsible for the processing of claims for ambulance service furnished under arrangements by participating hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies.