Why am I being billed for EMS (ambulance) transport service? Isn’t the service free?

Our mission is to provide outstanding and prompt patient care during your time of need. In order to cover the increased call volume while continuing to provide the highest level of emergency medical care, it is necessary for CHS to bill for services rendered.

What does CHS Healthcare do with these funds?

Each year, our emergency call volume increases—and the cost of delivering critical emergency services increases as well. These costs include

• Personnel costs – salary, benefits, uniforms
• Fleet costs – fuel, maintenance
• Medical equipment – cardiac monitors, medications, gurney, supplies
• Facilities
• Training

In order to partially recoup costs and help ease the burden on taxpayers and property owners, we bill insurance carriers. The demand for, and cost associated with, providing this essential service will continue to rise as CHS  and the regional population continues to grow.

We also allocate a portion of our income back to the community by offering training, educational programs, a loan closet and other benefits at no cost to permanent residents.

If an ambulance responds from another town and provides EMS transport, what billing policy applies?

CHS has mutual aid agreements with all surrounding jurisdictions. In those instances when an ambulance responds into another town and transports a patient to the hospital, the billing policy of the transporting ambulance applies. CHS policies cannot vary due to the policies of another jurisdiction.

In addition, Federal Medicare/Medicaid requirements stipulate that CHS cannot bill for patient transports on a selective basis. All patients that are transported must be billed for service. CHS will seek cost recovery when it responds outside of our normal response area.

What if I can’t afford an ambulance? Should I still call 911?

Yes. A patient’s ability to pay has no bearing on whether they will receive emergency medical care. No one will be denied care by CHS based on his or her ability to pay.

I received a letter in the mail stating you need my signature. What should I do?

In order for us to submit your ambulance bill to any insurance company, your authorization is required. Please sign the necessary paperwork and send it back to us at the address listed. We will then process your bill and submit it to any insurance companies you may have. If you do not sign this document, we cannot submit it to your insurance and therefore, you will be responsible for the full cost of services.

I received a payment check in the mail. What should I do?

If you receive a payment check from your insurance carrier, you must forward it to:

CHS Mobile Integrated Health Care
280 Calkins Road
Rochester, NY 14623

Failure to do so constitutes insurance fraud and will result in follow-up by CHS and potential legal and/or criminal consequences.

Hospital Bills

CHS Healthcare is not affiliated with any hospital. We do not have access to your hospital records including any bills you may have. Please direct your questions to the hospital itself and/or your insurance company.