As with clinic and hospital billing, ambulance claims have their own procedures for billing. To keep on top of changes, ambulance crew members should receive continuous training and continually updated on the procedures and codes necessary for the claims. Patient care reports (PCRs) need to be expertly prepared by the crew for the claims to go through correctly.When preparing PCRs, the crew members should keep these key elements needs in mind:
The patient’s condition in terms of how and why certain treatments or actions were taken in the ambulance must be included. This will need to be included on the PCR.
How the patient responded to each treatment with a detailed result for each treatment.
Other patient information like their mobility, ability to assist with the transfer onto a stretcher, and if the patient was able to care for themselves overall before the entering the ambulance. This will also be needed for the PCR.
Other descriptors such as the method used for the stretcher transfer and why the crew members used that method.
PCRs will need specific language and a comprehensive report. Being too wordy or vague can result in a denied claim.
Avoid insignificant phrases such as “transported in a position of comfort”. Vague phrases can provide the reason for medical insurer denials.
Overall, thorough documentation and observation will help achieve the best results for ambulance billing. Crew members who have been properly educated on those methods will make it easier to build a case that proves the ambulance ride was medically necessary.
Complete PCRs also depend on proper system setup. The experts at Outsource Receivables Inc can help with proper system setup and training for the ambulance billing process for busy crew members. See our website for more info or give us a call to speak with a representative.