Wednesday, February 03, 2010 BALDWIN, WISCONSIN Billing Information: We use LifeQuest Services for billing and collections. Therefore we do not produce or have copies of the patient bill at our stations. The EMT's at the station provide EMS only, we do not collect payments or make billing adjustments at our stations.
The Baldwin Area EMS Department is supported in part by user fees billed to the local municipalities to help cover a portion of the operating costs of the department. According to the Wisconsin Taxpayer Alliance, the average assessment rate for ambulance services i nWisconsin is $40.70. Baldwin Area EMS operates at one quarter that amount, currently $9.00 per capita.
The patient is charged a base rate, mileage from point of pick up to the hosiptal and supplies used. Base rates are set by the municipality on an annual basis based on the operational expenses of the service. The fees are set to assure continued operations of the service on a break even basis, covering replacement costs of vehicles, equipment, training, payroll, insurance, fuel, building and maintenance, and overhead. Baldwin Area EMS is a not for profit municipal service.
Patient fees for Medicare, Medicaid, and Badgercare are determined by statute and Baldwin must accept their set fee as full assignment for emergency services provided. In the case of Medicare, the total allowed Medicare fee reflects both the 80% payment by Medicare and the 20% payment by the patient or the patient's supplemental insurance. If the transport and care is not medically necessary according to Medicare, the patient must by law be billed for the entire amount of the bill.
If you have any questions about your ambulance bill, wish to make a payment or inquire about payment plans, questions regarding tax intercept, or if you have information to provide regarding your bill or insurance coverage, please call LifeQuest customer care number below. When calling, please have the patient name, social security number, and date of service handy.
Toll free telephone: 1-800-777-4911 Ambulance is a rolling ER Why did my ambulance ride cost so much? Baldwin Area EMS made the decision in 2008 that its citizens deserved the highest level of emergency medical care possible. Therefore, the Village of Baldwin staffs the department's rescue units with emergency medical professionals trained at the highest level possible. With this training, paramedics can provide advanced life support that will improve outcomes for victims of medical and trauma emergencies. The drive to the hospital is a very small portion of what the paramedics do as part of our service. The unit responding to your emergency is actually a mini-rolling emergency room that is stocked with life-saving equipment and medicine. The level of care the patient receives from the paramedics on the rescue is what is important and what most of the ambulance bill reflects. Service fees are designed to cover the cost associated with providing ongoing emergency transport services within the response jurisdiction. Even though these service fees may seem high, the costs of service among municipal emergency transport providers are usually much lower than private ambulance services. As a side note, emergency transport service fees are approved by the Village Board within the fee schedule. Mileage is based on actual miles from the point of pick-up to the receiving hospital. Medicare sets the rates they allow agencies to charge for the type of emergency — basic life support, advanced life support and advanced 2 life support. They also set the rates for co-pays and mileage. By law, we cannot bill Medicare patients for more than the Medicare-approved rate, and we must bill for the co-pay or co-insurance amount. However, if Medicare declines or denies the claim due to the nature of the transport, e.g., non-emergency transports which did not require ambulance service, payment of the full bill is the responsibility of the patient. Patients may refuse transport if they do not wish to be taken to the hospital by ambulance, but will be required to sign a release form indicating the medical personnel have explained the possible dangers or consequences of not seeking further medical treatment and there is a small charge for the response and any scene care delivered. If the patients require ALS scene care, the ALS base rate is charged in full according to the policy of the Village. There are also times when both the police and fire personnel are required by law to transport a patient, even if the patient does not wish to be transported — when the patient is not mentally or physically capable of making a sound decision regarding their medical care, when the patient may be a danger to himself or others or when the patient is in custody by the police department, the bill is the legal responsibility of the patient. If you have further questions about this topic please call the Department 715-684-3188.
Online: you may pay your bill, provide insurance information, or ask questions of the billing agency: My Ambulance Bill Online
USPS Mail:
LifeQuest Billing Service
PO Box 1260
Wautoma, WI 54982-1260
Current Rates 2010
Ambulance billing rates are approved b ymunicipal elected officials annually based on the operating budget.
Basic Life Support Base rate is $1,113.00
Advanced Life Support 1 Emergency Rate is $1,238.00
Advanced Life Support 2 Base Rate is $1,400.00
Mileage charges (patient loaded miles) $19.00 per mile
BLS on scene care only, no transport $225.00
ALS on scene care, no transport is the same rate as ALS care above based on procedures $1,238.00
