What if I do not have insurance?
If you do not have insurance, you will be responsible for all billed charges. Payment can be made via check, money order, or major credit card. If you are unable to pay your bill in full, payment plans are available.
Why did my insurance company mail the check to me?
Different insurance companies have different policies regarding reimbursement for services rendered. Some insurance companies choose to reimburse the patients directly, instead of sending the payments to the medical providers. It is your responsibility to forward payment, and your explanation of benefits. Failure to remit payment from your insurance may constitute insurance fraud, and will be subject to referral to a collection agency.
Why should I have to pay for your service; don’t I pay taxes for this?
Contrary to popular belief, tax dollars do not cover utilization costs for medical transportation. Most fire and EMS organizations primarily rely on insurance reimbursement for the services that they provide. The cost of vehicles, insurance, facilities, fuel, medical equipment, training and supplies have escalated dramatically in recent years. But the insurance companies continue to reduce payments, and make their processes harder and more confusing. Your payment helps to secure the continued survival, and ongoing quality, of the emergency medical service in your community.
Why do volunteer organizations charge for these services?
Volunteerism in the United States has been steadily declining for over a decade, and is at an all time low where calls for emergency service would go unanswered. Many fire and EMS organizations have been forced to pay personnel to cover the hours when volunteers are not available, and when state regulations require minimum staffing levels.
Why didn’t I get a bill?
When medical transportation providers obtain all of the necessary information, and patient authorizations, we are able to submit invoices directly to the insurance company for the patient. We are frequently able to complete the billing process without involving the patient with the claims filing process. If this is the case, you may not receive a bill. You will likely receive an explanation of benefits from your health insurance carrier when they have paid your claim. If you would like a copy of the bill for your records, just let us know and we will be happy to mail it to you.
Why did the fire department or another ambulance respond to my emergency?
In many parts of the United States, it is not uncommon to have the fire department respond to EMS calls to provide additional personnel, and in some cases more rapid care until an ambulance arrives. Similarly, many EMS systems work on a tiered response system whereby both basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS) providers simultaneously respond depending on the nature of the emergency. ALS services, are staffed by Paramedics, and can administer medications, insert breathing tubes, and start IV’s among other life saving skills. In essence, they bring the Emergency Room right to your doorstep. BLS services exist in many communities and are staffed by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). BLS personnel are limited, by specific state laws, as to what procedures they may perform, so in many cases an ALS service may assist them in providing you with the highest possible care.
If Paramedics provide the highest level of care, why aren’t they sent on all emergencies?
ALS services are limited in number, and cover a large service area. They rely on local, BLS ambulances, to provide immediate life-saving interventions until an ALS service can reach your emergency and support the BLS ambulance crew.
I pay an annual subscription to my local ambulance, why do I have to pay at all?
Ambulance subscription programs are immensely popular because they provide EMS services with a major source funding to support capital equipment projects such as new vehicles and costly equipment. These annual programs also benefit the program participants (i.e. subscribers) by limiting the financial liability for the services that are rendered. For a modest annual fee, the subscription limits your “out of pocket” expense, thus saving you significant, unexpected, financial burden.
Why don’t ambulance services do their own billing?
It’s the job of the EMS service to provide you with excellent emergency service, and ambulance billing is far too complex for services to tackle themselves. In most cases, the billing function is outsourced to a billing vendor that specializes in the ever-changing regulations and complex procedures that are associated with getting your claim paid.
My insurance company didn’t pay my claim, so what do I do now?
Insurance companies offer a wide variety of benefits, but in some cases ambulance transportation is not covered. In some cases, your claim must be “medically necessary” in the eyes of the insurance company before they will pay. Many appeal processes exist that enable EMS billers to request that your claim be reevaluated upon submission of additional documentation. Only after all claim appeals are exhausted will you be held financially responsible for the services that you received.
I was in an automobile accident but was not injured; why did I receive a bill?
It is not uncommon for an ambulance to be summoned to the scene of an auto accident where, thankfully, apparent injuries did not result in the need for medical transportation. However, many times accident victims do ask EMS crews to “evaluate” them for possible injury.