(1) The medical assistance administration (MAA) pays for two levels of service for ground ambulance transportation: Basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS):

(a) A BLS ambulance trip is one in which the client requires and receives basic medical services at the scene and/or en route from the scene of the acute and emergent illness or injury to a hospital or other appropriate treatment facility. Examples of basic medical services are: Controlling bleeding, splinting fracture(s), treating for shock, and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

(b) An ALS trip is one in which the client requires and receives more complex services at the scene and/or en route from the scene of the acute and emergent illness or injury to a hospital. To qualify for payment at the ALS level, certified paramedics or other ALS-qualified personnel on-board must provide the advanced medical services in a properly equipped vehicle as defined by chapter 18.83 RCW. Examples of complex medical services or ALS procedures are:

(i) Administration of medication by intravenous push/bolus or by continuous infusion;

(ii) Airway intubation;

(iii) Cardiac pacing;

(iv) Chemical restraint;

(v) Chest decompression;

(vi) Creation of surgical airway;

(vii) Initiation of intravenous therapy;

(viii) Manual defibrillation/cardioversion;

(ix) Placement of central venous line; and

(x) Placement of intraosseous line.

(2) MAA pays for ambulance services (BLS or ALS) based on the client's actual medical condition and the level of medical services needed and provided during the trip.

(a) Local ordinances or standing orders that require all ambulance vehicles be ALS-equipped do not qualify a trip for MAA payment at the ALS level of service unless ALS services were provided.

(b) A ground ambulance trip is classified and paid at a BLS level, even if certified paramedics or ALS-qualified personnel are on board the ambulance, if no ALS-type interventions were provided en route.

(c) An ALS assessment does not qualify as an ALS transport if no ALS-type interventions were provided to the client en route to the treatment facility.

(3) MAA's base rate includes: Necessary personnel and services; oxygen and oxygen administration; intravenous supplies and IV administration reusable supplies, disposable supplies, required equipment, and waiting time. MAA does not pay separately for chargeable items/services that are provided to the client based on standing orders.

(4) MAA pays ground ambulance providers the same mileage rate, regardless of the level of service. Ground ambulance mileage is paid when the client is transported to and from medical services within the local community only, unless necessary medical care is not available locally. The provider must fully document in the client's record the circumstances that make medical care outside of the client's local community necessary.

(5) MAA pays for extra mileage when sufficient justification is documented in the client's record and the ambulance trip report. Acceptable reasons for allowable extra mileage include, but are not limited to:

(a) A hospital was on "divert" status and not accepting patients; or

(b) A construction site caused a detour, or had to be avoided to save time.

(6) When multiple ambulance providers respond to an emergency call, MAA pays only the ambulance provider that actually furnishes the transportation.

(7) MAA pays for an extra attendant, when the ground ambulance provider documents in the client's file the justification for the extra attendant, and that the extra attendant is on-board for the trip because of one or more of the following:

(a) The client weighs three hundred pounds or more;

(b) The client is violent or difficult to move safely;

(c) The client is being transported for Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) purposes and the client must be restrained during the trip; or

(d) More than one client is being transported, and each requires medical attention and/or close monitoring.

(8) MAA pays ambulance providers "by report" for ferry and bridge tolls incurred when transporting MAA clients. To be paid, providers must document the toll(s) by attaching the receipt(s) for the toll(s) to the claim.