Ambulance Billing

Ambulance billing can be very complicated. To help you understand, Centre LifeLink EMS has provided the following commonly used terms and answers to frequently asked questions.

To pay your bill online, please click here.

Definitions

ALS – Advanced Life Support. These are services performed by an advanced or intermediate EMT or paramedic. Such services can include defibrillation, starting an IV or administering medications.

ALS Assist – This refers to the instance where a Centre LifeLink EMS paramedic provides an ALS level of care, along with another ambulance service that is unable to provide this care.

BLS – Basic Life Support. These are services performed by an EMT basic.

Emergency – Any ambulance transport that is the result of a 911 call or its equivalent where the ambulance responds as quickly as possible and the patient is transported to the closest appropriate facility.

Non-Emergency – Any ambulance transport from one facility to another that is scheduled prior to the ambulance arrival at the sending facility.

Loaded Mileage – This refers to the number of miles that a patient is onboard the ambulance.

Wheelchair Van Service – A specially equipped van to facilitate the safe transportation of a patient in a wheelchair from one place to another (i.e. residence to a doctor’s appointment).

Litter Van Service – A specially equipped van to facilitate the safe transport of a patient that is unable to sit from one place to another (i.e. residence to a doctor’s appointment)

FAQ

Q. Will my insurance cover my wheelchair or litter van transportation?

A. In most cases health insurance does not cover transportation provided in either a wheelchair or litter van. There is no medical care provided in these circumstances and therefore the health insurance will not cover the service. If you feel that your particular health insurance carrier should or will cover this service you should call them to confirm this and then call and ask that we submit the claim on your behalf.

Q. Why did my insurance company send the payment to me and what do I do now?

A. We do not participate with all insurance companies. In these cases some insurance companies will choose to send the payment to the member instead of directly to us. Once you receive the insurance payment you should remit that payment along with a copy of the EOB (explanation of benefits) that was included with the check to:

Centre Lifelink EMS
PO Box 293
State College PA 16804

Q. Do you participate in the Free Care Program that is offered by Mount Nittany Medical Center?

A. Centre LifeLink EMS is a non-profit organization. We do not receive any type of funding to allow us to offer such a program.