EMS Billing
The City of Kettering is currently seeking reimbursement from private health insurers, Medicare and Medicaid for ambulance transportation. While no one living or working in Kettering will be required to pay for any uncovered expenses, we expect you might have questions about why the city is charging insurance companies for the service, and how it impacts you. Below you will find common questions and answers about Emergency Medical Services billing. If you still have questions, please feel free to call the Kettering Fire Department at (937) 296- 2489 for additional information, or contact our billing service directly at 1-888-330-5405.
EMS Billing FAQ
What is Emergency Medical Services (EMS) billing?
EMS billing is a service fee charged by the City of Kettering for ambulance transportation (paramedic or EMT) to a hospital facility.
Why does the City of Kettering charge for EMS services?
By billing insurance carriers for ambulance service, the city expects to avoid seeking additional tax revenue – in the form of levies — from residents for the new equipment and stations.
Where will the money go that the city receives from reimbursement?
The money will be used for fire department capital improvements such as new ambulances, fire engines, station improvements and/or new fire stations.
Who will be billed?
We will bill only the insurance carriers of Kettering residents who are insured or have Medicare coverage. In other words, if you live in Kettering and do not have health insurance, we will not bill you. We will bill all non-residents; however, even if they are not insured.
Who receives the ambulance bill?
For those who work or live in Kettering, the ambulance bill goes directly to third-party payers. Third-party payers include Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurers. No bill should ever be sent to persons living or working in Kettering even if third-party payers do not pay. If you live or work in Kettering and receive a bill directly, please contact Kettering Fire Department at (937) 296-2489.
For those who do not live or work in Kettering, the initial ambulance transport billing goes to a third-party payer, if available. If the bill is not paid by Medicare, Medicaid or a private health insurer, we will bill the individual.
You may receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance carrier. This is not a bill. Your insurance carrier may not reimburse the city for the full fee, but rest assured, if you live or work in Kettering, you are not responsible for this difference.
How much does it cost?
The city will invoice Medicare or your insurance carrier reasonable and customary rates for this area based on the services you received.
Will this increase local insurance rates?
No. These costs have been built into your premiums for many years. More than 80 percent of the nation’s fire departments – that transport patients to the hospital – bill for these services. Ambulance costs are less than 1 percent of health care expenditures. Rate increases are driven by drug costs, technology and research. Billing at the allowable costs will have minimal impact on insurance premiums.
Let us say, I am a Kettering resident and have insurance. I receive a bill for ambulance transportation, what should I do?
You should contact our billing company at 1-888-330-5405. If the problem is not resolved, call the Kettering Fire Department at (937) 296-2489.
What if my insurance does not pay or only pays a portion of the fee?
If you are a Kettering resident or work in Kettering, you are not responsible for any co-pays, deductibles or any uncovered fees.