2025 HCPCS code A0396
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Ambulance Services and Supplies - ALS specialized service disposable supplies Ambulance and Other Transport Services and Supplies Feed
Disposable supplies used for esophageal intubation during advanced life support ambulance transport.
Medical necessity for A0396 is established when a patient's clinical condition warrants ALS transport and esophageal intubation to ensure airway patency and adequate ventilation during transport.This typically involves situations of respiratory distress, trauma with airway compromise, or cardiac arrest.
The clinical responsibility lies with the paramedics and EMTs providing advanced life support in the ambulance. They are responsible for the safe and effective use of the supplies during the esophageal intubation procedure. Proper documentation of the procedure and the use of the supplies is crucial for billing purposes.
In simple words: This code covers the special disposable items used by paramedics in a life-saving ambulance to help breathe for a critically ill patient during transport.
This HCPCS code represents the disposable supplies used by ambulance emergency medical services (EMS) personnel for esophageal intubation while transporting a patient in an advanced life support (ALS) ambulance.These supplies include, but are not limited to, an esophageal tube and holder, tubing, laryngoscope blades, and/or stylets.The code is used for all supplies associated with a single esophageal intubation procedure during ALS transport.
Example 1: A patient experiencing respiratory distress due to a foreign body obstruction in the airway requires immediate transport to the hospital.The ALS ambulance crew performs esophageal intubation using the supplies represented by A0396 to maintain the airway during transport., A trauma patient with severe injuries, including a compromised airway, is transported in an ALS ambulance.The EMTs utilize the supplies included in A0396 to facilitate esophageal intubation, maintaining airway patency until definitive airway management is achieved in the emergency room., A patient experiencing cardiac arrest is being transported by ALS ambulance.During the resuscitation efforts, the ambulance crew performs esophageal intubation using code A0396 supplies to help ensure adequate ventilation. The proper equipment and procedures used is documented meticulously for billing.
Detailed documentation of the patient's condition necessitating ALS transport, including the indication for esophageal intubation.Documentation should include the specific supplies used and a description of the procedure.The patient's response to the intubation must be documented, along with any complications encountered.
** This code is for disposable supplies only.The ambulance transport itself would require separate billing codes.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Emergency Medicine, Paramedicine
- Place of Service:Ambulance - Land, Ambulance - Air or Water