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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesAmbulance and Other Transport Services and SuppliesHCPCS hcpcs-a0998-ambulance-response-treatment-no-transport
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    HCPCS A0998: Ambulance Response and Treatment, No Transport

    HCPCS Level II code A0998 describes an ambulance response and treatment without patient transport, representing EMS personnel responding to a scene, providing assessment and treatment on site, and not conveying the patient to a medical facility; the service type is emergency medical response/ambulance treatment and the typical site of service is scene or non-transport location such as a residence or public place.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Dialysis Services (ESRD) Coverage and Provider Requirements, Total Parenteral Nutrition and Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition, End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): Renal Dialysis.

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    Table of contents

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    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
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    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient scenario involves a 58-year-old male who experiences sudden-onset chest pain at home. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are dispatched; the ambulance crew assesses the patient on scene, performs a primary survey, obtains vital signs, places the patient on cardiac monitoring, administers oxygen and 324 mg chewable aspirin per protocols, and establishes intravenous access. After treatment and observation for stabilization, the patient refuses transport to the emergency department or transport is not required because symptoms resolve and clinician judgment deems transport unnecessary. The billing event is for ambulance response and treatment without transport, documented as A0998.

    Clinical workflow: EMS receives the 911 call, documents dispatch and arrival times, performs assessment and treatment, records medications administered, monitoring performed, and patient consent or refusal for transport. Crew documents decision-making, patient capacity, and provides discharge instructions or referral. The EMS agency bills payors for on-scene response and treatment using A0998, appending applicable modifiers for payer requirements and clinical circumstances.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    93000Electrocardiogram, routine ECG with at least 12 leads; with interpretation and reportOften performed on-scene by EMS to evaluate chest pain prior to deciding on transport; ECG findings inform treatment and documentation associated with A0998 billing
    94010Breathing capacity test (spirometry)Rare in EMS on-scene; may be used when assessing acute respiratory complaints before non-transport disposition
    99050Services provided in the physician's office at times other than regularly scheduled office hours, or emergency servicesMay be used by associated physician groups for related evaluation or follow-up when EMS provides on-scene care without transport
    99051Services provided in the physician's office during evening, weekend, or holiday hoursUsed for billing related after-hours physician oversight tied to EMS non-transport events
    99499Unlisted evaluation and management serviceUsed by physician practices for atypical evaluation services that are not otherwise classified when documenting medical control or follow-up visits after EMS non-transport

    Related Modifiers

    5 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    174400000XSpecialistAn individual educated and trained in an applied knowledge discipline used in the performance of work at a level requiring knowledge and skills beyond…
    364S00000XClinical Nurse SpecialistA registered nurse who, through a graduate degree program in nursing, or through a formal post-basic education program or continuing education courses…
    363A00000XPhysician AssistantA physician assistant is a person who has successfully completed an accredited education program for physician assistant, is licensed by the state and…
    363L00000XNurse Practitioner(1) A registered nurse provider with a graduate degree in nursing prepared for advanced practice involving independent and interdependent decision mak…
    261QM0850XAdult Mental Health Clinic/CenterAn entity, facility, or distinct part of a facility providing diagnostic, treatment, and prescriptive services related to mental and behavioral disord…
    224Z00000XOccupational Therapy AssistantAn occupational therapy assistant is a person who has graduated from an occupational therapy assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Council…
    376K00000XNurse's Aide(1) An unlicensed individual who is trained to function in an assistive role to the licensed nurse in the provision of patient/client activities as de…
    261QD0000XDental Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Dialysis/Renal Replacement1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Dialysis Services (ESRD) Coverage and Provider RequirementsMississippi Division of Medicaid2026-08-01
    Total Parenteral Nutrition and Intradialytic Parenteral NutritionCentene2026-05-01
    End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): Renal Dialysispriority health2026-02-01
    Home Hemodialysis (HHD) — Coverage CriteriaUnitedHealthcare2026-01-01
    Home Hemodialysis (HHD) Coverage Criteriasierra health and life2026-01-01
    Dialysis services (acute and chronic hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis)UnitedHealthcare2026-01-01
    Staff-Assisted Home HemodialysisCigna2025-11-15
    Parsabiv (etelcalcetide) Coverage for Secondary HyperparathyroidismMolina Healthcare2025-10-09
    DefenCath (taurolidine/heparin catheter lock) CoverageMass General Brigham Health Plan2025-09-01
    Medical Necessity Guidelines — DefenCath (taurolidine/heparin) catheter lockMass General Brigham Health Plan2025-09-01

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-A0021-AMBULANCE-SERVICE-OUTSIDE-STATE-PER-MILE-TRANSPORT

    HCPCS A0021: Ambulance Service Outside State Per Mile, Transport (Medicaid Only)

    HCPCS-A0080-VOLUNTEER-NON-EMERGENCY-TRANSPORTATION-MILEAGE

    HCPCS Level II A0080: Non-Emergency Volunteer Vehicle Transport, Per Mile

    HCPCS-A0090-NON-EMERGENCY-TRANSPORTATION-MILE-PRIVATE-VEHICLE

    HCPCS A0090: Non-Emergency Transportation, Per Mile

    HCPCS-A0100-NON-EMERGENCY-TAXI-TRANSPORTATION

    HCPCS A0100: Non-Emergency Transportation, Taxi

    HCPCS-A0110-NON-EMERGENCY-BUS-TRANSPORTATION

    HCPCS Level II A0110: Non-Emergency Bus or Carrier Transportation

    HCPCS-A0120-NON-EMERGENCY-MINI-BUS-TRANSPORTATION

    HCPCS Level II A0120: Non‑Emergency Transportation by Mini‑Bus or Mountain Transport

    HCPCS-A0130-WHEELCHAIR-VAN-NON-EMERGENCY-TRANSPORTATION

    HCPCS Level II A0130: Non-Emergency Transportation, Wheelchair Van

    HCPCS-A0140-NON-EMERGENCY-AIR-TRANSPORTATION

    HCPCS Level II A0140: Non-Emergency Transportation and Air Travel

    HCPCS-A0160-NON-EMERGENCY-TRANSPORTATION-CASE-WORKER-SOCIAL-WORKER-PER-MILE

    HCPCS Level II A0160: Non-Emergency Transportation by Case Worker

    HCPCS-A0180-ANCILLARY-LODGING-NON-EMERGENCY-TRANSPORTATION

    HCPCS Level II A0180: Non-Emergency Transportation Lodging-Recipient

    Showing 1–10 of 40

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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