A0420 Ambulance waiting 1/2 hour
Also known as: ambulance waiting, held ambulance
Ambulance waiting time for first or subsequent 30-minute increment when transport is delayed awaiting patient pickup or hospital transfer.
In Plain Language
charge for ambulance waiting time
Clinical Context
Used to bill for ambulance crew waiting time when patient is not ready for pickup or when ambulance must wait between transfers.
RVU Information
CPT A0420 does not have a physician work RVU assigned by CMS. This is typical for supply, drug, and equipment codes — reimbursement is based on Average Sales Price (ASP), fee schedules, or payer contracts rather than the RVU system.
Billing & Documentation
HCPCS A-codes cover medical supplies, equipment, and transport services. Documentation must establish medical necessity and include a physician order. For durable medical equipment (DME), a Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN) or detailed written order may be required.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code A0420?
CPT A0420 (Ambulance waiting 1/2 hour) is a A Codes code. Ambulance waiting time for first or subsequent 30-minute increment when transport is delayed awaiting patient pickup or hospital transfer.
Does Medicare cover A0420?
Medicare coverage for A0420 depends on medical necessity and applicable Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs). Used to bill for ambulance crew waiting time when patient is not ready for pickup or when ambulance must wait between transfers. A physician order is typically required.
When is CPT A0420 used?
Used to bill for ambulance crew waiting time when patient is not ready for pickup or when ambulance must wait between transfers.
Track This Code in RVU Edge
Log procedures, calculate wRVUs, and benchmark against national data — all in one app.
CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.