Ambulance Billing FAQ’s
I just received an ambulance bill. I thought my taxes covered my ambulance expenses?
Superstition Fire & Medical District is funded through a combination of property taxes and user fees. Your tax dollars help provide for the availability of firefighting, rescue and medical services. While tax dollars do help subsidize a small portion of the ambulance operation, the majority of the services rendered are not covered. Patients transported by ambulance must pay an additional fee for the service provided.
This user fee is regulated by the Arizona Department of Health Services and is charged to the patient who is treated and transported by an SFMD ambulance. Rather than assessing all property owners increased taxes each year to operate the ambulances, user fees help lessen the burden on the tax paying public as a whole.
Note: Many insurance companies, Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers will cover or reimburse for portions of EMS transport and treatment services.
Is the bill for ambulance transport covered by my insurance?
In most cases, yes. However, this depends on the type of coverage you have and whether your insurance company deems the transport by ambulance to have been a medical necessity.
For more information, call Superstition Fire & Medical District Billing Customer Service at (888) 980-9106.
How are the Superstition Fire & Medical District’s rates determined?
Rates are regulated and approved by the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) Bureau of EMS (BEMS). Rates incorporate the personnel and equipment costs normally incurred during an ambulance transport.
I was recently transported by ambulance and Medicare denied my bill for Medical Necessity. Why did they deny my claim and what are my rights?
The Medicare program will only pay for ambulance services that it deems “medically necessary.” In simpler words, the patient’s condition must be serious enough that transport by any other means would be endangering the patient’s life, limb or bodily organs.
A patient has the right to appeal Medicare’s decision. In the event a patient’s bill is rejected, the patient can file an appeal for reconsideration. Simply obtain all of the information in regards to the service (i.e. ambulance run form, emergency room notes, physician notes, discharge orders, lab results, etc.) and mail them to the Medicare carrier requesting an appeal.
For more information, call Superstition Fire & Medical District Billing Customer Service at (888) 980-9106.
Why did Superstition Fire & Medical District start their own Ambulance Service?
The Superstition Fire & Medical District wanted to ensure there was a reliable ambulance service for our citizens and wanted to reduce the response times for an ambulance to ensure our customers received the care they deserved. Additionally, SFMD believed it could provide a superior level of service.
Since Superstition Fire & Medical District took over the transportation service response times have improved, the availability of ambulances has increased and customer satisfaction is at an all-time high. The SFMD added the newest most technologically advanced medical equipment in the industry such as Revel ventilators, Stryker Power-Pro gurneys with power loaders, and Physio-Control Lifepak-15 cardiac monitors to ensure our citizens receive the best care possible.
Who should I contact if I have a question on my bill?
Call Superstition Fire & Medical District Billing Customer Service at (888) 980-9106.
How is Superstition Fire & Medical District structured?
The Superstition Fire & Medical District (SFMD) is a political subdivision of the State of Arizona, legally established in 1955 under A.R.S. Title 48, Chapter 5. The District is governed by an elected five member board.
The Superstition Fire & Medical District provides fire suppression, fire prevention, wildland protection, advanced life support, rescue, extrication, and medical transportation services out of five fire stations. SFMD serves approximately 65,000 year round residents across a 65 square mile area that includes the City of Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, Superstition Foothills, Goldfield Foothills, Entrada Del Oro and unincorporated areas of Pinal County.
The SFMD also operates three advanced life support ambulances strategically placed throughout the District to meet the needs of our residents as well as the response time requirements set forth by the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS).
