As with any medical emergency, please dial 911 for immediate service.

Ambulance Billing is a program to recover the costs of emergency medical services associated with transporting a patient to the hospital by ambulance. Medicaid, Medicare and most other private insurance policies (health, auto and/or homeowners) allow for payment for this service. This cost recovery program has been implemented successfully by more than 40 localities and 50 volunteer rescue squads in Virginia to recover funds to support the increasing costs of providing EMS services to a growing population.

Albemarle County residents will not be responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses, including co-pays and deductibles. Non-residents who are unable to pay their balance after all applicable insurance is collected will be treated with compassion and provided with options to ensure that financial hardship is avoided, with the bottom line being that people who cannot pay will not have to pay. The County is focused on collecting reimbursement from insurance companies who are already charging policy holders for this service. Without Cost Recovery, those funds go untapped by the County and the burden of paying the increasing costs of providing EMS services in the County falls solely on our taxpayers.

All patients will be treated and transported regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. This program will not change the ambulance service provided to anyone in Albemarle County, regardless of insurance coverage or any other factor. Albemarle County will not deny service to those with unpaid balances from previous bills. Emergency responders who respond to your call will have no knowledge of who has paid and who has not paid. The Albemarle’s EMS Cost Recovery program includes compassionate billing provisions.