Death of a loved one is always a sad scenario and the cost of transportation is the last thing that lurks your mind at that point. However, it pays to understand the Medicare coverage for air ambulance flights when there is death. Here, we discuss three possible scenarios and how Medicare treats each of these with respect to cost coverage of air ambulance flights.
Death Prior to Boarding the Air Ambulance Flights
Let’s suppose that decision to transport through air ambulance flights has already been taken. However, the patient dies just before boarding the air ambulance. In this scenario, if the dispatcher still has a “reasonable” opportunity to inform the pilot to abort the air ambulance flight and the aircraft has not taken off (even though it is taxied and is cleared to go), the payment from Medicare would be zero. You can still go ahead with carrying the patient to the desired destination but Medicare does not cover such air ambulance flights.
Death after Air Ambulance Flights Takeoff to Point of Pick-up
Now, we take the scenario where air ambulance flights take off for point of pick-up but the patient dies before loading him or her to the aircraft. In such cases, the air ambulance flights are paid adequate airbase rate without mileage or rural adjustment. A QL modifier will have to be used during the claim in this situation.
Death after the Patient is Loaded to the Air Ambulance Flights
Unfortunately, the patient dies during the flight or upon transfer to the receiving facility. Here, Medicare provides the coverage as if the patient was still alive. The death still does not ensure full coverage. Many a times, people don’t get full coverage of air ambulance flights even if they are alive owing to the nature of care plans.
It must be noted that Medicare coverage of air ambulance flights is very limited. You should further discuss the issue of coverage with your flight coordinator to get a clearer picture beforehand.
