K101 – Ground ambulance transfer with patient
OHIP Consultation & Visit Premium Codes Code — GENERAL PREAMBLE · Schedule of Benefits
K101 (Detention-in-Ambulance) is payable for constant attendance with a patient in an ambulance, to provide all aspects of care to the patient. Time is calculated only for that period during which the physician is in constant attendance with the patient in the ambulance. The service includes an initial examination and ongoing monitoring of the patient's condition and all interventions, except in those circumstances in which the Schedule provides for separate or additional payment for the intervention.
When to Use
- Use K101 when you are physically inside a ground ambulance providing constant, active medical attendance during a patient transfer between facilities.
- Use K101 for critical care transfers where you must manage the patient's condition continuously, as opposed to a routine transfer where you are merely a passenger.
- Use K101 when the patient's acuity requires your presence for interventions that are not separately billable under the Schedule of Benefits.
Common Pitfalls
- Claiming K101 for time spent in a private vehicle or air ambulance, which is ineligible; use K001 for non-ambulance vehicle attendance.
- Failing to document the exact start and end times of the ambulance transit, which is a mandatory requirement for audit compliance.
- Attempting to bill an assessment code (e.g., A007) in addition to K101; the K101 fee is inclusive of the initial examination and ongoing monitoring.
Billing Tips
- Always include a brief, clear written explanation of the medical necessity for your presence in the ambulance in the claim submission text field.
- Ensure you append the appropriate after-hours premium (E409, E410, E412, or E413) if the transfer commences during the specified time windows to maximize the procedural fee.
Effective: April 1, 2026
GP. General Preamble
GENERAL PREAMBLE
Procedure
Assessments, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures
Claims for Detention-in-Ambulance require the submission of a written explanation.
To claim a unit-based service, the physician must record the start and end times of the service in the patient's permanent medical record.
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