 149 WebstervilleRd., P.O. Box 116, Websterville, Vermont, USA 05678 p:802.479.9331 f:802.479.9332 e:offices@barretown.org |
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AMBULANCE BILLING BARRE TOWN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES Town Manager’s Office Telephone: (802)479-9331 Fax: (802)479-9332 Email: offices@barretown.org Address: P.O. Box 116, Websterville, VT 05678 Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 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. Frequently Asked Questions 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. Q2 Do you accept partial payments? A2 Yes, pre-approved reasonable payment plans can be made. Q3 What happens if I don’t pay the ambulance bills? A3 A 5% late charge is added after 30 days of the billing date; then an 8% delinquent charge and interest at the rate of 1%/month are added. If no payment is received after _____, the account is turned over to a collection agency. Q4 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? A4 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, Calais, East Montpelier, 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. Q5 What insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid coverage (policy information) do you have on file for me? A5 The insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid information we have is shown at the top righthand corner of the statement/invoice form. Q6 The insurance (or Medicare or Medicaid) information shown is incorrect. What do I do? A6 Contact the ambulance billing clerk (479-9331 or hull@barretown.org). Please have the insurance name, policy number, and group number. Q7 Your ambulance crew recently gave me service. How soon will I receive an invoice? A7 We make every effort to bill within 30 days. If you have insurance coverage (public or private), we will bill that party first. Q8 On my bill there is something called O2 Therapy and IV Therapy. What is the therapy? A8 The word therapy refers to the treatment or service provided. O2 Therapy means oxygen was administered. IV Therapy means an IV was started. Q9 To whom do I make payment? A9 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. Q10 What is EMS? A10 EMS is the acronym for Emergency Medical Service. Q11 What is BLS and ALS? A11 BLS stands for basic life support. ALS stands for advanced life support. Q12 Why do I have to pay a $25 no load fee? I didn’t call the ambulance, and I wasn’t transported. A12 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 $25. 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. Q13 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? A13 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. Q14 Is my patient number supposed to match my Social Security number? I’ve been told it should. A14 Yes, we want to use your Social Security number as your patient number because each one is distinct and your insurance company probably “knows” you by that number. If we don’t list your correct Social Security number as your patient number (at the top righthand corner of the form), please send it to us. Q15 How can I get a price estimate for a very long distance transport? A15 Contact EMS Director David Jennings at (802)476-3147 or go to the BTEMS web page on this site. Q16 If my bill is unpaid, will you refuse to give me service the next time I need it? A16 No, we will not refuse service. But, see answer to question 3. |
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