Ambulance Modifiers POP & POD

D | E | G | H | I | J | N | P | R | S | X

The CMS IOM Publication 100-04, Chapter 15, Section 30 covers Point of Pickup (POP) and Point of Drop-off (POD) modifiers.

Ambulance claims must include POP and POD modifiers. Place the POP character in the first modifier position and the POD character in the second position (e.g., A0428RH). A list of these modifiers with descriptions follows:

  • Modifier D: Diagnostic or therapeutic site

    • A building or portion of a building providing diagnostic or therapeutic services

    • This is the sole purpose of that building or section of a building

  • Modifier E: Residential, domiciliary, custodial facility

    • The facility providing room, board, and other personal assistance services on a long-term basis

    • This facility does not include a medical component

  • Modifier G: Hospital-based ESRD facility

    • A dialysis unit contained within a hospital, or located adjacent to a hospital

  • Modifier H: Hospital

    • A building or portion of a building used to treat sick or injured patients

    • The building must contain overnight stay medically equipped care rooms

  • Modifier I: Site of transfer

    • A scheduled location moving from a ground to air transport or vice versa

  • Modifier J: Freestanding ESRD facility

    • A dialysis facility not located within or adjacent to a hospital

  • Modifier N: Skilled Nursing Facility

    • A facility providing skilled nursing care and related services to inpatients requiring

      • Medical or nursing care, or

      • Rehabilitation services to people injured, disabled or sick

    • Communicate with the facility for determination if it is an N or E

  • Modifier P: Physician's office

    • Physician offices

    • Free standing diagnostic or therapeutic sites

    • Clinics

    • Urgent care center

    • P is not a covered destination

  • Modifier R: Residence

    • A building where the patient makes his/her home and dwells permanently

    • A building where another person makes his/her home permanently and the patient is temporally staying

    • Excluding facilities considered residential, domiciliary, or custodial care

  • Modifier S: Scene

    • The scene of an accident or acute event

  • Modifier X:

    • Intermediate stop at a physician's office on the way to the hospital

      • POD Only

    • Physician office used to treat a patient in an emergency setting

      • An interim stop when the patient is in such distress requiring a physician's office on the way to the hospital