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1. When will Burleson Fire/EMS go live with the new ambulance service?

Burleson Fire/EMS is excited to announce that our new ambulance service will go live on October 1, 2023. Starting on this date, we will have three front-line ambulances staffed with a paramedic and EMT, providing service at the MICU (Mobile Intensive Care Unit) level, 24 hours a day. We are committed to enhancing emergency medical services for our community, and this expansion represents a significant step toward ensuring the well-being and safety of our residents.

2. Can patients choose their preferred emergency room destination when using our ambulance service?

Under the guidance of Dr. Cordova, our Medical Director, our policy is to transport patients to the closest and most appropriate emergency room while also taking the patient's choice into consideration. We prioritize the patient's condition and strive to accommodate their preferences if the requested emergency room is within a reasonable distance, such as the hospital district in Fort Worth.

In emergency situations, our primary goal is to transport the patient promptly to the nearest emergency room to stabilize their condition. Once the patient's condition is stable, further transport options with the emergency room staff may be considered to specialized facilities when necessary.

Our ambulance crews are trained to handle nuanced situations, and they have the option to consult with the Medical Director to make the best transport decision for each patient. We respect the patient's right to make informed decisions about their care and are dedicated to working closely with them to ensure they receive the best possible care. Your well-being is our priority.

3. Does Burleson Fire/EMS use a third-party billing company to process ambulance bills?

Yes, Burleson Fire/EMS partners with Emergicon, a trusted third-party billing company, to process ambulance bills. Emergicon specializes in healthcare revenue cycle management and ensures efficient and accurate billing practices for our ambulance services. For more detailed information about Emergicon and the range of services they provide, please visit their website at https://emergicon.com/.

If you have specific billing inquiries or need assistance, you can reach Emergicon at 972-602-2060, and select option 1. We work diligently with Emergicon to maintain transparency and facilitate smooth billing procedures for our community members.

4. Will Burleson Fire/EMS offer a subscription plan for its new ambulance service?

No, the City of Burleson Fire/EMS does not offer an ambulance subscription or membership program. Instead, our billing team is dedicated to collaborating with private insurance providers, Medicare, and Medicaid to facilitate payment arrangements for ambulance services. If you have any questions or require assistance with ambulance billing inquiries, please contact Emergicon at 972-602-2060 choose Option 1. Our commitment is to provide accessible and transparent billing practices for our community members.

We are actively monitoring the need for a subscription plan. Any future changes to our service offerings will be made with the best interests of our residents in mind, as we remain committed to fair and transparent billing practices.

5. What is the fee schedule for Burleson Fire/EMS ambulance services?

Burleson Fire/EMS has a transparent fee schedule for ambulance services, ensuring our community members are aware of the associated costs. Here is an overview of our fee schedule:

• Advanced Life Support – Emergent (ALS-E): $1,600.00 to $1,750.00 - This fee applies when a patient is in a more critical condition, requiring the assistance of a paramedic for advanced life support.
• Basic Life Support – Emergent (BLS-E): $1,400.00 - This fee is for emergency transport provided by certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).
• Specialty Care Transport: $2,200.00 - This fee applies to the interfacility transport of critically ill patients, which requires specially trained paramedics.
• Advanced Life Support Disposables: $400.00 - A bundled fee designed to cover supplies used during ALS-E or ALS 2 transports.
• Basic Life Support Disposables: $350.00 - A bundled fee designed to cover supplies used during BLS-E transports.
• Oxygen: $150.00 - This fee is for the provision of oxygen during transport.
• Mileage: $24.00 - A fee per mile of transport to account for the distance traveled.
• Treatment No Transport (TNT): $175.00 - This fee may be assessed when specific medical interventions are performed, but the patient is not transported to a medical facility.

It's important to note that the fees listed are subject to change, and any updates will be communicated to our community. Additionally, as mentioned any future changes to our service offerings will be made with the best interests of our residents in mind, as we remain committed to fair and transparent billing practices.

6. What is balance billing, and does Burleson Fire/EMS balance bill for ambulance services?

Balance billing is a practice where a healthcare provider bills a patient for the difference between the provider's charges and the amount covered by the patient's insurance, often resulting in an unexpected bill for the patient.

While Burleson Fire/EMS does engage in balance billing where approved by state and federal law, it is important to note that this practice is now tightly regulated through Texas Senate Bill 2476. The new Senate bill will eliminate most all balance billing situations, meaning that patients will not be responsible for paying any out-of-pocket costs above their deductible or payable responsibility for ground ambulance rides, even if they are transported by an out-of-network ambulance provider.

This is a significant improvement for patients, as the Senate Bill aims to protect them from surprise medical bills from ground ambulance care provided. It is also a positive development for ambulance providers, as it will ensure that they are paid for their services by the insurance provider. 

For more detailed information about Senate Bill 2476 and how it applies to ground ambulances, Burleson Fire Department provided a presentation to the council on August 21, 2023. To view the presentation, please follow this link: Council Meeting Presentation - August 21, 2023 and select option 7. F. We are committed to adhering to the regulations and guidelines set forth by this legislation to provide fair and transparent billing practices for our community members.