EVANSVILLE — Residents will have the opportunity to enroll in an annual ambulance membership program with the Evansville Fire Department as a part of its takeover of emergency medical services in the city.
EFD announced “Rescue Shield” on Wednesday as an option for city residents to help keep costs down for potential ambulance services they may need beginning July 1. The cost is $89 per year, and covers the entire household.
This covers treatment billed to commercial insurance or Medicare. This includes paramedic treatment on-scene, even if transport is refused and transport to the nearest medical facility. It doesn’t cover interfacility transfers or non-emergency transports like transport to a doctor’s office.
According to EFD, residents covered by Medicaid aren’t eligible to participate due to federal guidelines.
AMR Evansville, the current service provider, also has a program like this that residents may be familiar with called Ambu-Care.
Brandon Robb, EMS supervisor at EFD, said they see firsthand calls of individuals experiencing an emergency while simultaneously worrying about the potential cost.
“As we know, healthcare prices continue to rise in the United States,” he said. “So, we look at that first-hand experience and we think, ‘what can we do here at the Evansville Fire Department.”
For those without insurance, Robb said the program can reduce the individual’s financial responsibility by 50%. For those with insurance, and covered by Medicare, the cost could be nothing for the individual.
“Rescue Shield strengthens our EMS system without raising taxes,” Robb said.
Robb said the money raised in enrollments return to the city’s general fund.
What is a ‘medically necessary’ transport?
Rescue Shield is meant to work along with a residents existing health insurance plan. Under many insurance plans, an individual may still have out-of-pocket expenses like copays or deductibles.
EFD provided an example that someone covered by Medicare billed for $1,612 following an ambulance transport to a local hospital would be on the hook for $350. With Rescue Shield, that cost would be $0, if the trip was deemed ‘medically necessary.’
According to EFD, this means an ambulance trip was required to safely move a patient. That first is decided by EFD paramedics, and then insurance or Medicare may make a second decision during billing.
Robb said medical necessity can be complex, but 911 responses for an emergency are generally covered.
Under the same example of that $1,612 bill, someone without insurance or who had the claim denied by insurance or Medicare, would pay $802 with Rescue Shield.
How can residents enroll in Rescue Shield?
Enrollment can be completed online at emsecurepay.ems.bill.com/membership/site/login using the activation code Rescue Shield.
Anyone needing assistance can call 866-949-9715 to speak to someone with the membership team.
The membership will not auto-renew. Residents will need to do that manually each year.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville Fire Department announces ambulance membership program
Reporting by Sarah Loesch, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
