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| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) |
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| Q: |
Why haven’t you submitted this bill to Medicare, or my insurance company? |
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| A: |
If you are receiving this bill more than 30 days after your transport, it is possible that your
insurance has denied our claim, in which case you may want to contact your insurance company
for additional information. Also, we may not have received enough insurance information to
send a claim to your carrier. If you have insurance coverage for this medical service, please click the Submit Insurance Information button (left of screen) and complete the form or call EMS Medical Billing Associates at (414) 365-9900. |
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| Q: |
I was transported to the hospital and you have my Medicare information.
Why are you
sending this bill to me instead of to Medicare? |
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| A: |
A signature is required from you or a representative in order to bill Medicare on your behalf. Medicare will not allow us to bill them for your services without a signature authorizing us to do so. (If you are a representative of the patient, signing on behalf of a patient does not make you financially responsible for any balance). |
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| Q: |
If I sign this signature form, does that make me financially responsible to pay the
ambulance bill? |
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| A: |
No. Legally, only the patient, a spouse (in the State of Wisconsin), or a Legal Guardian (such as the parent of a minor) may be held responsible for payment of debts incurred by the patient. A signature on our form, does not override applicable State or Federal Law. Also, no statements of any kind can be construed to contradict State or Federal Law regulating financial responsibility for medical expenses. |
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| Q: |
I didn't call 911, and when the ambulance arrived, I refused transport. Why am I still getting a bill? |
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| A: |
You are being billed for activation of the 911-system. The response of emergency medical
personnel incurs significant cost even before service is rendered. A police officer or a “good
samaritan” who calls 911 on your behalf has no legal responsibility to pay for the service
provided to you. Even if you refuse transport, you were still provided with a service by the
responding agency. Thus, a service charge to the patient has been authorized when the 911-
system is activated. |
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| Q: |
Why doesn't Medicare cover activation of the 911-system? |
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Medicare only covers ambulance when a beneficiary is transported. If you were not transported, Medicare will not cover this bill. Because Medicare does not cover non-transport charges, we are not obligated to submit a claim to Medicare. Therefore, we do not submit this bill to Medicare as a matter of policy. |
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| Q: |
I was transported by ambulance and Medicare still did not cover the bill. Why? |
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Medicare does not cover ambulance transports to a Doctor's Office or a Clinic. Also, if you received non-emergency transport, medical necessity for the transport must be documented. If the transport does not appear to be medically necessary, Medicare may not cover the charges. And, if you are transported from one hospital to another, we also must have documentation on file that indicates that you were transported to receive services not available at the first hospital. For more information on ambulance services that are covered by Medicare, please call EMS Medical Billing Associates at (414) 465-9900. |
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| Q: |
I have received a bill for $500 after my auto accident, and the charge is listed as FIRE SUPPRESSION, EXTRICATION or HAZMAT. What is this charge, and why are you billing me for this? Why has this not been submitted to my insurance company? |
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After a motor vehicle collision, your local Fire Department may be required to contain the
spread of hazardous fluids, extricate you or a loved one from your vehicle, or to extinguish a
vehicle fire. Due to the extensive cost involved in providing these services on immediate notice
at any time of day, an ordinance has been approved authorizing us to bill for these services. As
the registered vehicle owner, you are responsible for reimbursement of these costs. Because this
is not a medical expense, we cannot submit a claim to your health insurance. We may submit a
bill to the auto insurance of any party involved in the existing auto claim, but we cannot generate
a claim on your behalf, and we cannot list anyone other than the vehicle owner as the responsible
party for the account. You may choose to pursue another party for reimbursement of expenses
resulting from this incident, but we are not legally empowered to assign responsibility for
payment to any party other than the vehicle owner. |
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| Q: |
I was taken to the hospital last month, and now I have received two bills from two different services. Why? |
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A BLS responder was the first squad on scene. They performed an assessment and prepared you for transport. However, because of your medical condition, they made the decision to call in another ambulance service that is licensed in your area to provide you with the medical service you received. Delaying transport in order to place you in their squad may have been fatally detrimental to your health, so they jumped aboard the transporting squad to provide you with that service. You are receiving one bill for the transport and another for the service provided by the Paramedic (ALS) provider in your area. |
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