Town Manager-Ambulance Billing

Before calling about an ambulance bill, have available the full name of your insurance company, policy number, patient name, and date of the ambulance service.

Q1 I have insurance, but I received a bill from BTEMS. Did you bill my insurance company?

A1 We always bill insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid first when we know the patient has coverage. At the bottom of our invoice/statement there is an explanation of the purpose of the invoice/statement. If we billed your insurance company, Medicare, or Medicaid, the form will indicate such. If we are expecting payment from you, the explanation will state the amount and that payment is due.

Q3 I don’t live in Barre Town, and I wasn’t in Barre Town when your ambulance treated me. Why did BTEMS provide service, and why is Barre Town billing me?

A3 There are three possible reasons why BTEMS provided service outside of Barre Town. BTEMS is contracted to provide emergency medical services to these towns: Berlin, Orange, Plainfield, Topsham, and Washington. BTEMS is the ambulance service for the residents and general (traveling) public in these towns. Second, BTEMS provides mutual aid (back-up) service to all towns surrounding our primary service territory. Our ambulance may have been called to render mutual aid service in the town or city where you needed medical attention. Third, BTEMS is called to perform many emergency and non-emergency transports from one medical care facility to another. This service is provided without regard to the patient’s place of residence.

Q4 What insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid coverage (policy information) do you have on file for me?

A4 The insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid information we have is shown at the top righthand corner of the statement/invoice form, minus any account numbers.

Q5 The insurance (or Medicare or Medicaid) information shown is incorrect. What do I do?

A5 Contact the ambulance billing clerk at 1-800-439-0466 or 479-9331. Please have the insurance name, policy number, and group number.

Q6 Your ambulance crew recently gave me service. How soon will I receive an invoice?

A6 We make every effort to bill within 30 days. If you have insurance coverage (public or private), we will bill that party first.

Q7 On my bill there is something called O₂ Therapy and IV Therapy. What is the therapy?

A7 The word therapy refers to the treatment or service provided. O₂ Therapy means oxygen was administered. IV Therapy means an IV was started.

Q8 To whom do I make payment?

A8 Make checks or money orders payable to the Town of Barre. Mail to Town of Barre EMS, P.O. Box 116, Websterville, VT 05678. Include a portion of your bill or a reference to your ambulance bill.

Q9 What is EMS?

A9 EMS is the acronym for Emergency Medical Service.

Q10 What is BLS and ALS?

A10 BLS stands for basic life support. ALS stands for advanced life support.

Q11 Why do I have to pay a $65 no load fee? I didn’t call the ambulance, and I wasn’t transported.

A11 When an ambulance crew responds to any call, a coverage or back-up crew is called to the station in case there is another call. The coverage crew is paid. Consequently, every time our crew responds to calls, BTEMS incurs additional expense for coverage and for ambulance se. These costs typically exceed $65. We’ve set policies to limit the number of unnecessary responses, but there are still times apparent emergencies are reported and our EMTs must respond. Someone thought you would need medical attention and reported your situation. It would not be fair or wise to bill the person who reported the incident. After all, they were trying to do a good deed and, if good Samaritans were bills for trying to help, people would stop reporting apparent emergencies. You were in the situation that prompted the report of an emergency; therefore, we ask that you pay a small amount to offset our expenses.

Q12 You transported my child. She is covered by her stepfather’s insurance. They have different last names. Will this create a problem securing payment from the insurance company?

A12 It could. To facilitate billing you could email complete information to us. Provide the date of service, the patient’s name, the insured’s name, the insurance company name, and the policy and group numbers. If we have the insured’s name and correct insurance policy information, the company should verify the patient is covered by the insured’s policy.

Q13 Is my patient number supposed to match my Social Security number?

A13 No, the patient number for billing is assigned as the trip number..

Q14 How can I get a price estimate for a very long distance transport?

A14 Contact EMS Director David Jennings at (802) 476-3147 or go to the BTEMS web page on this site.

Q15 If my bill is unpaid, will you refuse to give me service the next time I need it?

A15 No, we will not refuse service.