In simple words: This code covers the cost of an ambulance ride in a special ambulance that has extra equipment and trained staff for people who are very sick or injured. It's charged per mile. Medicare doesn't pay for this, but other insurance companies might.

HCPCS code A0390 represents mileage charges associated with Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance transport.ALS ambulances are equipped for advanced life support procedures and staffed by qualified emergency medical professionals.The code is reported on a per-mile basis and applies to both ground and air transport.The patient's condition necessitates ALS-level care during transport.Medicare does not cover this service; coverage by other payers varies.

Example 1: A patient experiencing a heart attack is transported via ALS ambulance from their home to the hospital, a distance of 15 miles. Code A0390 would be reported for the 15 miles., A trauma patient requiring mechanical ventilation is airlifted via ALS helicopter from a remote accident site to a trauma center 50 miles away.Code A0390 would be reported for the 50 miles., A patient in respiratory distress is transported by ALS ambulance from a nursing home to a hospital emergency department, a distance of 8 miles. Code A0390 would be reported for the 8 miles.

Documentation should include the patient's diagnosis requiring ALS-level transport, the origin and destination of the transport, the total mileage, and the mode of transport (ground or air).

** Medicare does not reimburse for this service.Check with individual payers regarding their coverage policies.