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What Is Cost Recovery?
Cost Recovery is the name of the program that the Hopewell Emergency Crew participates in to obtain reimbursement for services provided. With the rising cost of medical equipment and supplies, volunteer agencies are finding it difficult to stay above water. In addition, new laws are now taking effect which all EMS agencies must comply with. Everything has a price tag, from the ambulance that comes to transport you to the band-aid the provider may use to treat your injuries. It has now become necessary for volunteer rescue agencies to charge a fee for services provided in an attempt to try and recover a portion of the money that the agency may have paid to have the equipment and supplies to provide you that service.
How Does This Program Work?
When you call 911 in need of medical help, an ambulance is dispatched to you. The providers will render medical treatment and if necessary transportation to an appropriate medical facility. Upon completion of the incident, a report is composed by the provider and submitted for processing. This report is transmitted to the Virginia Office of EMS as well as to a designated billing company. The billing company works directly with your insurance company to process and secure payment for services rendered. Usually, this process involves no work and/or hassle on your part. The main interaction occur between our billing service and your insurance company.
Does This Mean You Are Now Collecting A Profit?
No. We are simply recovering a portion of the cost of the service provided and supplies used. For example, if a citizen requests an ambulance for difficulty breathing. The provider may have to administer medicines to you to help you breath better. The cost of this particular medicine can cost the crew between $500.00 to $700.00 per dose. Your insurance company may only reimburse us an amount between $150.00 to $300.00. As you can see, more money as paid out than taken in. Cost recovery is not a program designed to deliver a profit to Hopewell EMS in any way. It simply is a method of recovering a portion of the funding paid out to deliver a service to you. All funds recovered assist us in providing treatment and transportation to all in need.
What If I Don't Have Insurance And Cannot Pay?
It is important to remember that we are a public service agency and as so we are required to provide our services to anyone who request it within our scope of practice regardless of their ability to pay. Simply put, we will NOT deny medical treatment and transportation to anyone based on their ability to pay. You will receive the appropriate care without regard to your financial situation.
Are There Other Options If I Am Not Insured?
The city of Hopewell offers a program called Ride Savers. Ride Savers is a subscription service that any citizen of Hopewell can participate in and in the event that you are in need of an ambulance, this program will take care of the cost of the ride. For a small annual fee, you can cover yourself and anyone living in your household for that entire year. The coverage is from July to June of each year and covers you if you are transported by either us and/or the Hopewell Bureau of Fire. Because the city of Hopewell administers this program, if you are interested, please contact the city of Hopewell's Treasurer.
Who Can I Contact For More Information On Cost Recovery?
For more information on Cost Recovery or if you have received communication from us regarding payment for services, you may contact our Administrative Services Captain, which can help you with your inquiry. To contact by email, please click here
Capt. Renate Kauffman
Office of Administrative Services/Billing Coordinator
Hopewell Emergency Crew, Inc.
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