Hospital Discharge Ambulance Transportation: What Patients and Families Should Know

What is hospital discharge ambulance transportation?

Hospital discharge ambulance transportation is requested transportation for a patient leaving a hospital and traveling to another destination. The destination may be a residence, skilled nursing facility, rehabilitation facility, or another appropriate healthcare setting.

A scheduled or non-emergency discharge request is different from calling 911 for an emergency. When immediate emergency response is needed, use the appropriate emergency system rather than relying on a scheduled transportation request.

When might ambulance transportation be requested after discharge?

A discharge team, patient, family, or other appropriate party may request ambulance transportation based on the individual transport circumstances. Transportation coordination can depend on the requested service level, destination, timing, transport requirements, and information provided by the referring healthcare team.

A diagnosis alone does not automatically establish medical necessity, coverage, or transportation eligibility. Those determinations depend on the individual circumstances and the applicable healthcare and payer requirements.

Where can a patient be transported after hospital discharge?

Common discharge destinations can include a residence, skilled nursing facility, rehabilitation facility, or another appropriate healthcare setting. The sending team, patient, family, and receiving location may each have information that helps coordinate the requested transportation.

For Medicare, covered ambulance transportation has specific origin and destination requirements. A destination discussed for a discharge does not necessarily mean that the transport is covered by Medicare or another payer.

What information should be ready when arranging discharge transportation?

BLS, ALS and MICU for hospital discharge transportation

Different service levels may be requested for hospital discharge transportation depending on the transport circumstances and information supplied by the referring healthcare team. Preferred EMS dispatch coordinates the requested service using the information provided and service availability.

For a general explanation of BLS and ALS ambulance transportation, review the BLS vs. ALS Resource Hub article. That educational guide does not replace clinical or payer guidance for an individual discharge.

Hospital discharge to a skilled nursing or rehabilitation facility

When a patient leaves the hospital for a skilled nursing facility or rehabilitation facility, the sending and receiving facilities may exchange their respective transfer information. The party arranging transportation can share the available pickup, destination, timing, requested service level, contact, and documentation details with dispatch.

Preferred EMS coordinates the requested transportation based on the information provided and service availability. Facility acceptance, clinical decisions, and coverage determinations remain with the appropriate healthcare and payer processes.

Hospital discharge to home

Ambulance transportation to a residence may be requested after hospital discharge in appropriate circumstances. The individual transport circumstances and applicable requirements determine whether ambulance transportation is medically necessary or covered.

An inability to drive or a lack of other transportation by itself does not establish medical necessity for Medicare ambulance coverage. Patients and families should use the applicable healthcare and payer guidance for the individual situation.

Does Medicare cover ambulance transportation after hospital discharge?

Medicare Part B may cover ambulance transportation when applicable requirements are satisfied. Under applicable Medicare rules, the beneficiary’s medical condition must require ambulance transportation and other means of transportation must be contraindicated by the beneficiary’s condition.

Bed confinement alone is not sufficient to establish medical necessity. Medicare also has applicable origin and destination requirements. Coverage, authorization, reimbursement, and claim payment are not guaranteed; beneficiaries, families, and facilities should verify individual benefits and requirements with the applicable payer and consult current Medicare guidance when appropriate.

What is a Physician Certification Statement (PCS)?

A Physician Certification Statement, or PCS, may be required for certain Medicare non-emergency ambulance transports under applicable circumstances. Documentation requirements vary depending on the transport circumstances and payer.

A PCS does not by itself establish medical necessity and does not guarantee Medicare payment. For a fuller discussion of interfacility documentation and PCS considerations, review the interfacility ambulance transfer Resource Hub article.

Read the detailed Medicare ambulance documentation and PCS requirements guide.

How to arrange hospital discharge ambulance transportation in Houston

Houston discharge transportation coordination

Preferred EMS operates from its Houston location at 7535 South Fwy, Houston, TX 77021 and coordinates requested ambulance transportation for Houston and communities throughout its legitimate Greater Houston service area.

For a request, have the hospital pickup location, destination, requested timing, requested service level, and relevant available transport information ready before contacting dispatch.