Will you get an EMS fee refund?

Contact: Percy Ashcraft, County Administrator

Phone: (804) 633-9831

Email: pashcraft@co.caroline.va.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 5, 2010

"Changes Announced in Caroline County EMS Fee for Service Program"

Caroline County, VA – County Administrator Percy Ashcraft today announced revisions to the County’s EMS Fee for Service Program. The County recently discovered some confusion with the program’s Compassionate Billing policy and its application for County residents. The County has identified approximately 1,500 residents that have over paid fees since the program began in 2007. These fees total approximately $39,000. The County will be working with its billing contractor to identify those individuals eligible to receive refunds. Additionally, the contractor will reimburse fees charged to the County for processing these collections.

Work is underway to immediately correct this issue and re-engineer the County’s EMS Fee for Service Program. Previously, residents with insurance may have been sent bills for any remaining co-payments. They would in turn have needed to complete a compassionate billing form to receive an exemption from these charges. It will no longer be necessary for County residents with insurance to complete compassionate billing form requests. Caroline’s new revisions make this process automatic. All co-pays will be immediately negated based on the resident’s status as a tax payer. “We are always looking for ways to improve customer service in our system. This change will greatly simplify the EMS billing process for our citizens” said Ashcraft.

The County’s uninsured residents will qualify for a billing waiver based on their local taxpayer status. They will receive a bill as required by insurance regulations along with a copy of the uninsured waiver form. Residents and visitors should know that no one will ever be denied service because of their inability to pay or lack of health insurance. Providing medical care to our patients remains our highest priority!

What can citizens expect after a transport to the hospital? First, a claim is sent to the patient’s insurance provider. The patient then receives an “Explanation of Benefits” statement from the insurance company showing the amount the insurance provider was billed. County residents will not receive a bill for co-pays and deductibles. They may receive a letter asking for additional insurance information not initially received. Uninsured residents will receive a bill along with a copy of the billing waiver form. These residents will simply need to sign and return this form in lieu of any payments.

For more information about Caroline’s EMS Fee for Service Program, contact the Caroline County Department of Fire and Rescue at (804) 633- 9831.

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