The City of Hampton's EMS Cost Recovery Program is designed to recover the costs of emergency medical services associated with a patient assessment and/or patient transport to the hospital by ambulance. The program allows the city to recoup system costs from individuals who benefit directly from EMS service delivery, including non-city residents.
Service is not provided, or denied, based on your ability to pay. The EMS Cost Recovery Program does not change the way that emergency service is provided. All patients who are transported or receive a patient assessment will be billed.
The EMS Cost Recovery Program was initiated in 2002. However, effective July 1, 2017, the program will allow us to bill for any portion of the bill not covered by your insurance company. The patient or the person legally responsible for the patient would be liable for payment of any remaining deductible or allowable co-payment not covered by the health insurance provider.
The deductible or co-payment was previously written off for Hampton citizens; however, our concern for the medical and financial health of our citizens and visitors has prompted the change. Like many other jurisdictions across the commonwealth and the nation, Hampton has continued to see costs associated with funding EMS services increase while revenues are declining. Funding that comes from cost recovery is used to offset the rising operating and capital costs associated with supporting our EMS service providers, training, and equipment, allowing us to provide the best possible service to citizens.
Schedule of Service Fees
Basic Life Support Transport ............................... $500
Advanced Life Support Level 1 Transport ........... $600
Advanced Life Support Level 2 Transport ........... $750
Mileage (cost per loaded mile) ............................... $11
Patient Assessment Fee (no transport) ............... $125
The Billing System
Hampton Division of Fire & Rescue contracts with a third-party billing company, Change Healthcare. Change Healthcare submits claims on your behalf to your insurance company, Medicare, or Medicaid, based on the level of care provided during transport. After the insurance company has paid its portion of the bill, an invoice for the balance is mailed to the patient or the person legally responsible for the patient. The patient may receive a letter from the billing company requesting insurance information or to obtain a signature to allow for an insurance claim to be filed.