A0140: Commercial air travel billing code for NEMT
A0140 is the HCPCS code for non-emergency transportation and air travel, private or commercial, within a state or between states. Medicaid programs use it for airline tickets, and some also for train fare, priced at the actual ticket cost after prior approval. It is not an air ambulance code. Medicare does not pay it.
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What A0140 means in the HCPCS file
The CMS HCPCS file for October 2026 lists A0140 as “Non-emergency transportation and air travel (private or commercial) intra or inter state.” It was added in 1985 and carries Medicare coverage code I, not payable by Medicare. The descriptor covers both scheduled airlines and private aircraft, for trips inside one state or across state lines.
What A0140 pays for
A0140 pays for a member’s seat on a flight to covered medical care. The member rides as a regular passenger. Colorado covers it when the member’s medical professional says commercial air is needed and less costly modes will not work. If the member needs medical attention in the air, the trip is an air ambulance transport under A0430 or A0431, not A0140.
The unit is one ticket or one trip, priced at the actual fare. Colorado and Oregon require approval before booking, and Arizona runs travel services through prior authorization. Air travel claims often sit next to other costs: meals and lodging under the ancillary codes, and an escort’s fare when the member cannot travel alone.
How four states handle A0140
Colorado. The NEMT billing manual uses A0140 for both commercial air and train. Both must be prior approved by the Department, not just the broker. Colorado rules require medical services to be provided in Colorado unless the service is not available in the state. On the July 1, 2026 fee schedule, A0140 is manually priced per trip.
Louisiana. The October 1, 2025 NEMT fee schedule covers the enrollee plus a maximum of one escort. The fare must be the lowest refundable coach or economy class fare.
Oregon. OHA’s provider guide, updated December 22, 2025, maps airline tickets to A0140. Train travel in Oregon uses T2004 instead, which shows how the same trip type can land on different codes by state.
Arizona. AHCCCS training for travel services providers (July 2023) lists A0140 for air travel, alongside the lodging and meal codes for the member and escort. The provider needs the full ticket price to bill, and the training lists up to two daily units for A0140.
Texas describes the same benefit without a code in its handbook. Its Medical Transportation Program lists air travel as an allowable mass transit service for fee-for-service members, arranged through the program.
Mistakes that cost air travel claims
- Booking before approval. Colorado and Oregon require prior authorization. A ticket bought first may not be paid.
- Buying the wrong fare. Louisiana pays refundable coach or economy, not a premium seat.
- Adding extra travelers. Louisiana allows one escort at most. Escort rules for other programs live under T2001 and the ancillary codes.
- Mixing up train and air. Colorado bills both under A0140, while Oregon bills train under T2004.
A ground provider may still carry the member to and from the airport under its own vehicle codes. For every code in one place, see NEMT billing codes. For the claim process, read how to bill Medicaid for NEMT.
Frequently asked questions
- Is A0140 the same as air ambulance?
- No. A0140 is a seat on a plane for a member who does not need medical care in flight. Air ambulance uses its own codes, such as A0430 for fixed wing and A0431 for rotary wing, and those require a medically equipped aircraft and crew.
- What fare does Medicaid pay under A0140?
- The actual ticket cost within the program's limits. Louisiana pays the lowest refundable coach or economy fare for the enrollee plus at most one escort. Colorado prices A0140 manually, trip by trip.
- Do NEMT van companies bill A0140?
- Usually not. In the programs described here, flights run through the state, its transportation broker, or an enrolled travel services provider. Arizona trains its travel services providers to bill A0140 together with the meals and lodging codes for the same trip.
