We at Wilton Emergency Squad, Inc. are dedicated to providing you assistance with your bill and to work with your insurance companies to ensure you get the benefits you're entitled. For questions regarding your bill, feel free to contact us at the Billing Office from 8 A.M. to 3 P.M. EST Monday through Friday.
The following FAQ's may help answer any questions:
Why does Wilton Emergency Squad, Inc. require signature authorization at the time of treatment and transport?
All patients are required to provide signatures that acknowledge consent to treatment and transportation, provide authorization to submit a bill on your behalf, assign your benefits to Wilton Emergency Squad, Inc. which allows your insurance to pay us directly, and acknowledge receipt of our Privacy Policy. Wilton Emergency Squad, Inc. will not be able to submit a claim to your medical insurance carrier without a signed authorization from either the patient or a legal guardian. Failure to provide a signed authorization at the time of treatment and transport may require us to seek payment directly from the patient or guarantor without being able to bill an insurance company first.
What is Wilton Emergency Squad, Inc’s. billing and payment policy?
About a week after receiving care from us, a patient should receive a billing statement for services provided. The bill will provide an itemization of the services provided and the fees charged. Payment of the account is required within 30 days of receipt of the bill.
Most private insurance purchased individually or through an employer group plan and government medical coverage such as Medicare and Medicaid will cover medically necessary emergency ambulance transportation. As a courtesy to our patients, Wilton Emergency Squad, Inc. will submit a claim to our patients’ insurance. If a patient has coverage, it is important to provide all of the coverage information to the paramedic or EMT at the time of service or to our billing office as soon as possible after receiving services.
If a patient does not have insurance coverage of any kind, the bill for services will be due directly from the patient. Payment is due immediately upon receipt of the bill. Wilton Emergency Squad, Inc. will accept a patient’s personal check, bank check, money order, or credit card.
What does Medicare cover?
In general, Medicare will cover medically necessary ambulance transportation to the nearest appropriate medical facility. Emergency ambulance transportation may qualify for Medicare coverage if the transport is a result of a sudden onset of a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to result in placing the patient’s health in serious jeopardy, impairment to bodily function, or serious dysfunction to any bodily organ or part. Medicare requires that ambulance transportation be medically necessary and reasonable. To be medically necessary, Medicare requires that the use of any other method of transportation would be hazardous to the patient’s health, whether or not any other methods of transportation are available. To be reasonable, for example, Medicare requires the patient to be transported to the nearest appropriate facility for treatment.
For both emergency transportation services, Medicare will pay 80% of the allowable rate. The remaining 20% will be due from you. If you have secondary insurance coverage, we will submit a claim on your behalf as a courtesy, but you are responsible for assuring timely payment by your secondary insurance carrier.
What does Medicaid cover?
While Medicare is a Federal program for qualified citizens over the age of 65, and for certain qualified disabled citizens, Medicaid is a State program intended to assist medically indigent citizens. Because the Medicaid program is administered by each State, the coverage of medical services, including ambulance transportation, varies from state to state. You should check with either the New York State Medicaid program to understand coverage for ambulance transportation. In general, the Medicaid program requires that all ambulance transportation meet certain medical necessity criteria.
What does insurance cover?
Insurance coverage varies widely from policy to policy. It is important that you review your insurance coverage to be sure that your policy provides ambulance transportation coverage and understand the limitations and requirements of your coverage. You should be sure to obtain authorization prior to receiving services from us if required by your policy. Please contact you insurance carrier if you have questions about your coverage. If your policy does not provide 100% coverage for ambulance transportation, you may be required to pay a deductible or co-payment as directed by your plan. Payment of all deductibles and co-payments are due immediately upon receipt of the bill.
As a courtesy to our patients, we will submit a claim to your insurance if you provide your coverage information to us at the time of service or to our Billing Office immediately after receiving service. Please be aware that as the policyholder, you are responsible for assuring timely payment by your insurance carrier. If your insurance carrier fails to adjudicate and/or pay your claim within the legally specified time frame, which is typically 30 to 45 days from receipt of the claim, we will seek payment directly from you.
What if no insurance coverage exists?
If you don’t have any insurance coverage of any kind, the bill for your ambulance services will be due directly from you as it is your responsibility. Payment is due immediately upon receipt of the bill. Wilton Emergency Squad, Inc. will accept your personal check or money order.
How Wilton Emergency Squad, Inc. set its fees and rates?
Wilton Emergency Squad, Inc. fees typically include a base charge for the transport, and a mileage fee. Your bill will provide an itemization of each of these charges incurred in your treatment and transportation.
Ambulance provider rates are determined by many factors such as the cost of providing the service and other economic forces in the community. Our rates are both competitive for the community and they meet all applicable local, state and federal limitations, regulations and approval.
If I don’t have health insurance, and cannot pay my bill, what options are there?
Patients medically transported who do not provide health insurance information will be sent a request for insurance information. If you do not have health insurance and are unable to pay your bill you have two options:
1. Request that Wilton Emergency Squad, Inc. provide you with a payment plan. Wilton Emergency Squad, Inc. will provide you with a monthly invoice until your balance is paid in full.
2. Request that Wilton Emergency Squad, Inc. provide you with a Request for Transport Fee Hardship Waiver. This form will need to be completed and returned to Wilton Emergency Squad, Inc. We will review this form and you ability to pay the balance in full or make payments. If you are able to show hardship your fee will be waived.
Do many localities in the region have an ambulance billing program?
Yes. Nationally and regionally a majority of services have ambulance billing programs. Locally, Saratoga Emergency Medical Services, Moreau Emergency Medical Services, Corinth Emergency Medical Services and General Schuyler Emergency Medical Services all charge for ambulance transport services.
What if I have additional questions or questions about my bill?
Contact Wilton Emergency Squad, Inc Billing Department at
or mail to:
Wilton Emergency Squad, Inc.
ATTN: Billing Department
1 Harran Lane
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 886-8117
For a date of service prior to 1/1/2009 please contact:
MultiMed Billing
PO Box 535
Baldwinsville, NY 13027
(800) 927-5845