Mobile Diagnostic Billing Services
Mobile diagnostic providers bring imaging and testing to patients in nursing homes, assisted living, and private homes. The technician travels, the order comes from another provider, and the patient is often in a facility that has its own billing rules.
That makes mobile diagnostic billing different from a fixed imaging center. Claims depend on where the patient was, who ordered the test, and whether travel can be billed. Westmont Revenue Partners connects mobile diagnostic companies with vetted billing experts who understand these details, so your team can focus on getting to the next patient.
Who this is for
- Portable x-ray companies serving nursing facilities and homebound patients
- Mobile ECG and cardiac testing services
- Mobile ultrasound and vascular screening providers
- Mobile diagnostic units serving assisted living and group homes
- Physician practices that run their own portable testing
- Small mobile companies and regional multi-van operations
What gets billed
- Portable chest and extremity x-rays
- Setup of portable x-ray equipment
- Transport of portable x-ray equipment to the patient's location
- Resting electrocardiograms (ECG) at the bedside
- Mobile ultrasound studies, such as abdominal or vein studies
- Technical component of tests when a separate physician reads the results
- Professional interpretation, when the reading physician is billed separately
- Tests ordered from a mobile unit parked at a community site
Commonly billed codes
| Code | Type | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Q0092 | HCPCS Level II | Setup of portable x-ray equipment |
| R0070 | HCPCS Level II | Transport of portable x-ray equipment, one patient seen on the trip |
| R0075 | HCPCS Level II | Transport of portable x-ray equipment, more than one patient seen on the trip |
| R0076 | HCPCS Level II | Transport of a portable ECG unit to the patient, per patient |
| 71046 | CPT | Chest x-ray, at least two views |
| 93000 | CPT | Routine 12-lead ECG with tracing, interpretation, and report |
| 76700 | CPT | Complete abdominal ultrasound |
| 93970 | CPT | Duplex ultrasound of veins in both arms or legs |
| 15 | Place of service | Mobile unit |
| 12 | Place of service | Patient's private home |
Note
Codes are examples for orientation, not a complete list, and do not guarantee coverage or payment. Always check current code sets and payer policy.
Billing challenges in mobile diagnostic services
Travel and setup billing. Setup and transport are separate from the test itself, and transport codes depend on how many patients were seen on the trip. A biller tracks route logs so the right code and patient count are reported.
Orders and medical necessity. Payers generally expect an order from a treating provider and support for why the test was needed. Billers collect orders before or soon after service and chase missing ones.
Place of service accuracy. The right place of service differs between a home, a facility, and a mobile unit. Errors can change payment or cause denials, so billers confirm it for each stop.
Facility and consolidated billing rules. For patients in some facility stays, certain services may need to be billed through the facility. Billers check the patient's status before sending the claim.
Technical and professional splits. If a different physician reads the images, the technical and professional parts may need separate claims. Billers coordinate with reading groups to keep them aligned.
Supplier enrollment. Payers may have specific enrollment and supplier requirements for portable services. Check current guidance for each payer.
Documentation from the field. Tests done at bedside can leave gaps in signatures and times. Billers set up simple capture steps so records are ready when claims are built.
How Westmont can help
- Matching you with vetted billing experts experienced in portable and mobile diagnostic claims
- End-to-end revenue cycle support, from order intake to payment posting
- Denial management for order, place of service, and medical necessity issues
- Help with payer enrollment and credentialing questions
- Coordination with reading physician groups on technical and professional billing
Frequently asked questions
What is mobile diagnostic billing?
Mobile diagnostic billing covers claims for tests performed outside a fixed facility, such as portable x-rays or bedside ECGs in a nursing home. It includes billing the test, any setup or transport, and the interpretation, while following payer rules on orders, place of service, and facility stays.
Can I bill for travel to the patient?
For portable x-ray, some payers recognize separate transport codes, and Medicare uses different codes depending on whether one or several patients were seen. Rules vary by payer and by service. Check current guidance from your Medicare contractor and each commercial payer.
Who bills for the x-ray reading?
Often a separate radiologist or physician group bills the professional reading, while the mobile company bills setup, transport, and the technical component. Agreements vary, so a billing partner should confirm who bills what before claims go out.
Why are mobile diagnostic claims denied?
Typical reasons are missing orders, wrong place of service, patient status conflicts with a facility stay, or unsupported medical necessity. Checking these items at intake lowers denials and rework.
Do I need special enrollment to bill portable services?
Many payers have specific requirements for portable x-ray and mobile suppliers. Requirements change, so verify them with each payer before you begin billing.
Related billing services
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