(a) If the person charged does not have private or public medical insurance and is financially unable to pay; payment options are available to those who qualify. The person shall submit the first page of the previous year's Federal tax return to demonstrate their eligibility for any reduction of the bill. Hardship will be determined upon Federal poverty guidelines. Any income information provided under this policy is confidential and will not be distributed or used in any other way.
(b) (1) If a person does not have insurance and does not qualify for hardship deduction, they will have the following options available:
A. Twenty-five percent discount if bill is paid by cash or check within 30 days.
B. Ten percent discount with the balance equally divided over 12 months.
(2) If a person fails to make the required amount of payment, and the account is referred for further collections, the discount will be reversed and the patient will be responsible for the full amount of the bill.
(c) An account with more than fifty dollars ($50.00) owing shall be sent to collection if no response has been received requesting insurance information or patient has not contacted the Billing Specialist to make payment arrangements within 90 days of the request. The Ambulance Billing Specialist will provide to the Finance Director a list of potential accounts that are ready to go to collection. The Finance Director will review and authorize the sending of said accounts to collection.
(d) Some insurance companies may submit payment to the patient or financially responsible party directly when it should be sent to the City. If this occurs and the patient or financially responsible party has not forwarded the check, they will receive a letter requesting reimbursement. This applies to residents and nonresidents alike.
(e) All bankruptcy filings will be sent to the Finance Director with a copy to the Law Director.
(f) Claims will be filed with automobile insurance carriers. However, patients must resolve litigation matters (i.e., auto accidents) outside of this billing process as such legal action may take years to settle. The patient is responsible for payment of the invoice if the carrier has not paid the claim within 90 days of the filing date.
(Res. 17-10. Passed 6-15-10; Res. 26-10. Passed 8-3-10.)