HCPCS
A0021 — Ambulance service, outside state per mile, transport (medicaid only)
Outside state ambulance serv
Ambulance & EMS
A0428 — Ambulance service, basic life support, non-emergency transport
This is for scheduled, non-emergency ambulance rides for patients who cannot be safely transported by other means — such as dialysis patients or those unable to sit up.
- Typical setting: Pre-hospital emergency transport
- National avg charge (illustrative): $400–$1,200 base rate (before mileage A0425)
- Most-disputed reason: Billing non-emergency transport without documentation that the patient is bed-confined or unable to use other transport
What it means
What A0428 actually means
This is for scheduled, non-emergency ambulance rides for patients who cannot be safely transported by other means — such as dialysis patients or those unable to sit up. It requires documentation that the patient is bed-confined and the transport is medically necessary.
Common errors with this code
What goes wrong on real bills.
Most bills that look correct still contain at least one of these issues. Up to 49% of medical bills contain errors (CFPB).
- Billing non-emergency transport without documentation that the patient is bed-confined or unable to use other transport
- Billing emergency code (A0429) for a scheduled non-emergency dialysis run to increase reimbursement
- Missing signed physician certification statement (PCS) required for non-emergency Medicare transport
If you see A0428 on your bill
Three steps before paying.
1. Get the itemized bill. If your statement only shows a summary, request the CPT-level itemized bill before paying. Generate the request language →
2. Cross-check against the EOB. Compare what your insurer's Explanation of Benefits says you owe versus what the hospital is asking. They disagree more often than people think. Read the bill-vs-EOB guide →
3. Run a free Bill Scan. Upload the bill (and EOB if you have it) and BillBusted will flag the most likely issues with this specific code in your specific state. Run free scan →
Related codes
Other codes in this category.
People who land on A0428 often also see these adjacent codes on the same bill.
HCPCS
A0080 — Non-emergency transportation, per mile - vehicle provided by volunteer (individual or organization), with no vested interest
Noninterest escort in non er
HCPCS
A0110 — Non-emergency transportation and bus, intra or inter state carrier
Nonemergency transport bus
HCPCS
A0120 — Non-emergency transportation: mini-bus, mountain area transports, or other transportation systems
Noner transport mini-bus
Related BillBusted guides
Plain-English reads if you see A0428 on a bill.
A0428 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
What does A0428 usually cost?
$400–$1,200 base rate (before mileage A0425). Costs vary by region, payer contract, and whether the service was performed in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a facility fee) versus a free-standing clinic.
What's the most common billing error on A0428?
Billing non-emergency transport without documentation that the patient is bed-confined or unable to use other transport
What should I do if I see A0428 on my bill?
Request the itemized bill and the matching EOB from your insurer. Compare the units/quantity billed against what you actually received. Run a free BillBusted scan to flag the most likely errors specific to A0428 before paying.
Don't pay A0428 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.