Ambulance providers – enhanced rates for COVID-19 related transports

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Apple Health (Medicaid) Provider Alert

Attention Ambulance Transportation providers:

Enhanced rate available for COVID-19 related transports

Retroactive to dates of service on and after February 29, 2020, ground ambulance providers are eligible to receive enhanced rates for transports related to COVID-19. Possible rate enhancements are available when transporting a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or when performing interfacility transfers to clear beds for COVID-19 capacity. The enhanced rates will continue to be paid for COVID-19 related transports until the declared state of emergency is discontinued.

Billing

When billing for these transports, providers must include modifier CR on the claim and a note that the transport is a COVID-19 related transport.

For COVID-19 related transports that have already been billed to HCA prior to this notice and did not include the CR modifier, providers may rebill to receive the enhanced rate. If modifier CR was included, HCA will adjust these claims to receive the enhanced rate.

To access HCA’s current rates, go to the agency’s provider billing guides and fee schedules webpage.

See HCA’s Information about novel coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage for updated information regarding COVID-19.  

If providers have any questions, contact hcaambulanceadmin@hca.wa.gov.