Medical Transportation

What is Non-Emergency Ambulance Transportation (NEAT)?

Non-emergency ambulance transportation (NEAT) is transportation provided by ground or air ambulance to a Medicaid beneficiary to and/or from a Medicaid covered service, carved-out services, or value-added benefit (VAB) when no other means of transportation is available and the beneficiary’s condition is such that use of any other method of transportation is contraindicated or would make the beneficiary susceptible to injury. The nature of the trip is not an emergency, but the beneficiary requires the use of an ambulance.

What is a Certification of Ambulance Transportation form?

The Certification of Ambulance Transportation (CAT) form confirms the medical necessity for ambulance services and outlines the medical condition that justifies the use of an ambulance.

Did LDH create a new CAT form to replace the older version of the CAT form?

Yes. In October 2024, LDH modified the current CAT form which was a revision date June 4, 2021. The new form combines all of the information required by both Medicare and Medicaid into a single document.  The revised form has a revision date in the lower, right corner showing October 1, 2024.

Which version of the CAT form should a facility complete?

LDH granted a 90 day grace period for the transition of the form.  Ambulance providers may use either form with revision dates June 4, 2021 or October 1, 2024 until December 31, 2024.

Beginning January 1, 2025, the CAT form with revision date of October 1, 2024 is the sole form LDH will accept for all transports with DOS on or after January 1, 2025.

What are the requirements the beneficiary must meet to utilize NEAT services?

To utilize NEAT services, the beneficiary must be either “bed confined” or the beneficiary’s condition is such that other methods of transportation are contraindicated.

Medical necessity is determined by the beneficiary’s condition, not the diagnosis that makes the use of any other method of transportation contraindicated. 

How does LDH define "bed confined" for NEAT services?

In order for a beneficiary to be considered “bed confined” all three of the following conditions must be satisfied:

1. Beneficiary is unable  to get up from the bed without assistance;
2. Beneficiary is unable to ambulate; and
3. Beneficiary is unable to sit in a chair or wheelchair 

Is the CAT form used for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement?

Yes, the new CAT form with the revision date of October 1, 2024 may be used for both Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. 

Should a beneficiary directly contact ambulance providers to schedule NEAT?

A beneficiary should contact the health plan in which they are enrolled and request to schedule NEAT services. The Louisiana Medicaid health plans include the following:

• Aetna Better Health
• AmeriHealth Caritas of Louisiana
• Healthy Blue
• Humana Healthy Horizons
• Louisiana Healthcare Connections
• United Healthcare Community Plan

If a beneficiary is eligible for Legacy Medicaid (Fee-For-Service Medicaid), the beneficiary should contact the Fee-For-Service transportation broker, Verida, to schedule NEAT services. Contact information for scheduling all transportation services is located here.

Should a facility contact the ambulance provider or the beneficiary’s health plan when scheduling NEAT services?

To schedule NEAT services, a facility may contact an ambulance provider directly or the health plan’s transportation broker. Contact information for arranging NEAT services is located here.

If the facility elects to contact an ambulance provider directly, the facility should complete the CAT form after scheduling NEAT services and provide the completed form to the paramedics upon arrival.

If the facility elects to contact the health plan’s transportation broker or the FFS transportation broker to schedule the NEAT services, the facility should submit the CAT form to the broker via fax or email.

LDH requires a completed CAT form to be submitted along with a clean claim for reimbursement.  The facility should provide a completed CAT form to the transportation broker during the scheduling process.

Who may sign the Certification of Ambulance Transportation form?

The following medical service providers are authorized to sign the CAT form for non-repetitive NEAT services:

• Treating Physician (MD, DO, DDS)
• Physician Assistant (PA)
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Nurse Practitioner (NP)
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

If the date range on the updated CAT form allows repetitive NEAT services for the beneficiary, the beneficiary's attending PHYSICIAN must sign the form.

How long is a completed CAT form valid?

The length of time that each CAT form is valid depends on the dates specified on the form. The certifying medical authority shall determine the appropriate length of time and complete the date range on the CAT accordingly.

The maximum amount of time that a single CAT form may be used for a beneficiary is 180 days.

Does a beneficiary require a new CAT form for each transport?

The MCO must use a single CAT form for all of the enrollee’s transports within the specified date range, no matter the type of medical appointment.

Why is the medical staff authorizing the NEAT services required to provide a National Provider Identifier (NPI) or a license number?

A National Provider Identifier (NPI) and a license number is a unique identifier used to determine the specific medical provider. Both the NPI number and the license number assist in identification of the authorized medical service provider.

Is the Certification of Ambulance Transportation (CAT) form required for Emergency Medical Transportation (EMT)?

No, a CAT form is not required for emergency transportation. 

Who can I contact for more information about NEAT services?

Providers may direct all questions to the LDH Medicaid Transportation team.  The Medicaid team may be reached by phone (225) 342-9566 or (225) 333-7473 or by email.