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Ambulance Billing

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1. Does everyone get charged for an ambulance transport?

It depends! If you are insured, our Billing Agent will work directly with your health insurance provider and process all necessary claims. However, if you are uninsured, you will receive a bill.

2. Who sets the rates that are charged and how much does an ambulance transport cost?

The rates are set and approved by the Board of County Commissioners for Frederick County. The cost for an ambulance transport can range from $300 to $700 depending on the severity of the call. In addition, mileage is charged at $10.00 per mile.

3. What will happen if I do not have insurance?

No patient will be denied or refused medical assistance or transport due to a lack of insurance. Any patient who has difficulty paying the bill for ambulance transport services, or has a question, should contact the EMS Billing Coordinator at 301-600-1308 to set up a payment plan.

4. Is there a mechanism in place to reduce the cost associated with an ambulance transport?

Yes! The County has instituted a Subscription Club Program whereby any resident of Frederick County may join. The cost is $15 for each senior citizen (60 and over), $25 for an individual, and $50 for a household. Subscription club members will not be responsible for any additional out-of-pocket costs not covered by their insurance carrier.

5. Will my insurance rate go up because Frederick County charges for ambulance transport?

No. Emergency ambulance transportation is an already included benefit for many insurance carriers. Considering all other health care fees, ambulance transport claims are relatively small.

6. Does Medicare pay for ambulance transportation?

Medicare Part B pays 80% of the charge for a medically necessary ambulance transport. The remaining 20% will be due from you. If you have secondary insurance coverage, they will be billed for the remaining balance.

7. Will my insurance premiums go up because Frederick County files insurance claims for Ambulance Transport?

It is unlikely that your health insurance premiums will rise solely because a claim for ambulance transport is filed. Many health insurance carriers already have a provision written into you policy to cover such costs. Ambulance Transport Insurance Billing is new. For many years, many jurisdictions throughout the nation have been billing for Ambulance Transports.

8. What happens if I call 911 and don't need to be transported? Will I be billed?

No! We bill ONLY if we transport you. You will, however, be required to sign a refusal of care form, releasing all Emergency Medical providers from any liability arising from your refusal to go to the hospital.

9. Isn't this double taxation? Am I already paying a fire/rescue tax for ambulance transport services through my property tax payment?

NO! Your fire/rescue tax helps fund career personnel stationed at local fire/rescue companies throughout the County. Revenues obtained from Ambulance Transport Insurance billing help offset all other costs associated with the management, maintenance, and operation of ambulance and emergency medical equipment. Additionally, revenues help provide funding for new fire/rescue operations, capital improvements, and training, etc. Making insurance claims to offset ambulance transport costs is an opportunity to help maintain taxes. Without it your taxes would be higher!

10. Why am I being billed for ambulance transport services? Isn't the service free?

No! Ambulance Transport services are not free. Each year the emergency call volume increases, placing an enormous strain on an already overburdened resource. In order to recoup costs and help ease the burden on taxpayers and property owners, we bill your Health Insurance for this cost. You are already paying a premium to the Health Care provider, that, in many cases, covers a portion of the Ambulance Transport services.

11. What constitutes a "Medical Necessity" ambulance transport to Medicare?

Medicare requires ambulance transport, whether or not any other methods of transportation are available. Any other transportation is considered by them to be hazardous to the patient's health. Transport will occur as a result of the sudden onset of a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity which, in the absence of immediate medical attention, could put the patient's health in serious jeopardy, impair bodily functions, or cause serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part. Medicare requires the patient to be transported to the nearest appropriate medical facility.

12. Will my Subscription Club Membership cover me if I am visiting another state or country?

No! Your membership covers you anywhere within Frederick County. We do, however, have several mutual aid agreements in place with other surrounding jurisdictions. For more information, please contact the billing coordinator.

13. I received a bill and I am a Subscription Club member. Why did I receive a bill?

Insurance information is obtained by the medical facility to which you were transported. If, for some reason, this information was not obtained, or if your insurance information on file changed, you will receive a bill from our billing agent, Wilmington Professional Associates, requesting updated information.

14. Will my Subscription Club Membership cover services provided by a private ambulance company?

No. Private ambulance companies (Mid-Maryland, etc.,) are affiliates of the Hospital and Nursing Home facilities and are not affiliated with Frederick County.