Billing FAQ

Billing - Frequently Asked Questions:

I do not have insurance, what do I do?
~We will gladly work with you to set up a payment schedule.

What method of payment does Stokes County EMS accept?
~MasterCard, Visa, Money Orders, Check or Cash.

Does Stokes County EMS file insurance?
~Yes, we welcome all insurance.

Does Medicare pay for ambulance transportation?
~Yes, when a patient’s condition is such that the use of any other method of transport is medically inadvisable. All EMS transports must be deemed reasonable and most importantly, medically necessary.

What does Stokes County EMS need to file my claim with my insurance carrier?
~Stokes County EMS must have the patient’s authorization.

What if the Stokes County EMS crew did not obtain my insurance information?
~You will receive a statement of charges and a signature/insurance form. Complete these forms in full and mail it back to us.

How long does will it take for my insurance to pay?
~Stokes County EMS allows 4-6 weeks for insurance companies to process your claim. If your claim has not been processed within that time, you will need to contact your insurance company to find out the status of your claim and report your findings to the EMS billing office.

How much time will Stokes County EMS allow me to pay my bill?
~90 days after the date of service. If the balance has not been paid or processed by that time, the claim will go to a collection agency or processed for garnishment.

Can I make payments?
~Yes, a payment schedule can be set up through our billing department.

Why did my insurance company mail the check to me?
~Some insurance companies operate through contracts and we cannot contract with any insurance carrier other than Medicare/Medicaid, but we file the claim as a courtesy to our patients. Some insurance carriers will then send the check to you instead of Stokes County EMS.

Where should I mail my payment?
~Stokes County EMS
PO Box 20

Danbury, NC 27016

Does Stokes County EMS offer discounts?
~Due to operating below costs, we are unable to offer any discounts.

Does Medicare pay for EMS service in full?
~No, Medicare will only pay approximately 80% of the bill. The patient will be responsible for the remaining balance.

Medicare has denied my claim, what do I do now?
~You can appeal the claim within 6 months of the denial date through 2 methods: obtain a completed medical necessity form from a physician and/or a letter from the patient. These are to be submitted to Medicare’s appeal department.

Does Stokes County EMS file supplemental insurance?
~Yes, if that information is provided, Stokes County EMS will file it.

What is the “garnishment” process?
~After 90 days of non-payment, the claim is eligible for garnishment.

How can the garnishment process be stopped?
~The balance must be pain in full.

What happens if I overpay?
~We will promptly process the claim for a refund for the overpaid amount.

When can I expect a refund from overpaying?
~1-3 weeks.