How to Get Ambulance Fees Waived – If “Poor”

So, I was talking to a friend about her experience taking someone to the hospital because they didn’t want to call the ambulance and pay for the fees and I told her (she has been working with poor people for a long time and didn’t know) that the fees could be waived. She says no one ever mentioned that to her after all her work with hospitals and low-income people. So, I went to find the info on the website and there was none . . . but there is now! (Thank you Sarah Edgerton! And whomever worked on this in the finance department!)

AWESOME CUSTOMER SERVICE!
After my discussion, I sent off this email:

from: Brenda Konkel
to: psoglin ,
All Alders ,
Sarah Edgerton ,
sdavis@cityofmadison.com
date: Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 8:17 PM
subject: ambulance bill waivers?

Where do I find info on the ambulance bill waivers for low income people on the city’s website? I only found one sentence and a phone number. I think that there are many low income people and even their advocates who are reluctant to call the ambulance because they do not know the policy. Just heard another story today and I said I would send someone the info, and then couldn’t find it myself.

Thanks!

And voila! In a little over 24 hours . . . from the fabulous city webmaster!

from: Edgerton, Sarah
to: Brenda Konkel
cc: “Franklin, Craig”
date: Thu, Dec 13, 2012 at 9:39 AM
subject: RE: ambulance bill waivers?

Brenda,

Here you go: http://www.cityofmadison.com/finance/ambulance/

Thanks,
Sarah

Wow! Now that is customer service!

The info is on the finance department website, not the fire department, which is where I first looked, but hey! its there! And so quickly!

THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION IS . . .
If you are too lazy to click on the link above or the info disappears . . . (if you are reading this at a later date, more up to date info might be at the link instead.)

Ambulance Hardship Waiver Information

The City of Madison Hardship Waiver is designed to help people who have no insurance or the means to pay. Failure to completely and accurately provide the information required below may result in denial of the waiver.

The schedule below provides the percent of fee waived based on total family income and number of individuals in household.

HARDSHIP WAIVER REQUIREMENTS

If you would like to be considered for a waiver ALL FOUR of the following steps must be completed and submitted to our office:

STEP 1: SIGNED STATEMENT You must include a signed statement indicating your insurance or governmental assistance. For example: “I have no assistance or insurance to cover this ambulance bill.”

STEP 2: PROOF OF TOTAL FAMILY ANNUAL INCOME. We will need A SIGNED COPY OF YOUR MOST RECENT FEDERAL INCOME TAX FORM, including social security (line 20a).

If you did not file taxes, proof of income/hardship from an independent third party must be submitted, such as:

• A photocopy of your most recent signed Homestead Schedule H
• A photocopy of a Statement of Benefits from either Food Share, SSI, Disability, or Unemployment

STEP 3: ARE YOU RECEIVING OR ELIGIBLE FOR GOVERNMENTAL ASSISTANCE such as medical assistance, Medicare, SSI or general assistance?

• YES: If yes, you must send us an explanation of benefits and payments you receive before the waiver applies.
• NO

STEP 4: DO YOU HAVE PRIVATE HEALTH OR ACCIDENT INSURANCE?

• YES: If yes, it must be applied for before being considered for a waiver. WHEN YOU RECEIVE A CHECK OR DENIAL, send us the payment and the explanation of benefits that you received.
• NO

There you have it! Spread the word! No one should be afraid to call the ambulance because they cannot pay for it!