News

6
Aug

Ambulance Billing: How Does It Work?

What happens when you call 911 and you are treated and/or transported by an ambulance crew? This is a question that is received often by the Municipal Emergency Services Authority of Lancaster County (MESA).

After MESA responds to a 911 call and evaluates, treats and/or transports a patient, there are three key factors that determine if or what the patient is charged for ambulance services including:

  • Whether or not the patient has health insurance
  • Whether or not MESA has the patient’s insurance information
  • Whether or not MESA’s annual fee has been paid

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the ambulance billing process:

  • If you are evaluated, treated or transported and do not have insurance, but have paid your annual MESA fee, you will be billed 50% of the charge. If your annual MESA fee is not paid, you will be billed the full amount of the charge.
  • If you are evaluated, treated or transported and do have insurance, MESA will bill your insurance if MESA has your insurance information. If MESA does not have your insurance information, you may receive a statement requesting your insurance information. Once your insurance information is obtained, MESA will then bill your insurance.
  • If you have insurance and have paid your annual MESA fee:
  • If your insurance pays MESA, you will receive no residual bill.
  • If your insurance pays you, you must submit payment for that amount to MESA.
  • If your insurance allowance is applied to your deductible, MESA will bill you 50% of the charge.
  • If you have insurance and have not paid your annual MESA fee:
  • If your insurance pays MESA, MESA will bill you the remaining balance.
  • If your insurance pays you, you must submit payment for the full amount to MESA.
  • If your insurance pays nothing, MESA will bill you the full amount.

Even with this explanation, we recognize that this process is not necessarily easy to follow! That is why you can also find a visual chart that details this process on MESA’s website at mesalancasterpa.gov/ems-services/.

MESA staff are available to answer any questions you have about your bill. MESA representatives are available Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm, at 717-361-8220 (select option #5).