Wiki Physician on Ambulance Ride

[Erin.Foley]

Is there a way to bill for the physician's time if he rides with a patient in an ambulance when being transferred to another hospital? i.e. high risk premature delivery

 

[FTessaBartels]

Was the mother critically ill?

I'm going to assume that the mother made it to the other hospital BEFORE delivery.

If the mother was critically ill (not just the risk to the babies of extreme prematurity), he might be able to code critical care.

The only code for physician provided care during transport applies ONLY to patients < 24 months of age - so it would not apply to transporting the mother.

The only other option I see is the Unlisted E/M service 99499.

NOTE: I am not expert in OB-GYN coding, so don't know how the global delivery package works in this scenario ... if your physician performed the delivery at the receiving hospital, he may not be able to bill anything for the time spent in transport.

Hope that helps.

F Tesa Bartels, CPC, CEMC