The Village of Glenview has launched an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Transport Billing Program. On this page, you can learn more about how the program works.
Don’t Hesitate to Call 9-1-1 in an Emergency!
The most important thing to know about EMS transport billing is that no one will ever be denied service because of ability to pay. No one will suffer financial hardship as a result of an emergency medical transport.
Financial Impact on Residents
If you are a resident of Incorporated Glenview or the Glenbrook Fire Protection District, the EMS Transport Billing program will have no financial impact on you. The Village will bill your private insurance company, Medicare or Medicaid and accept whatever it receives as “payment in full.” If you do not have any type of insurance, you will not be billed, period.
Financial Impact on Non-Residents
If you are not a Glenview resident (as defined above), the Village will still bill your insurance company, Medicare or Medicaid. However, it will charge you your co-pay and/or deductible, as well as any portion of the bill not covered by private insurance (by law, Medicare and Medicaid payments must be accepted as payment in full). If you have no medical coverage, you may be eligible for the Village’s Hardship Waiver Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Village decide to institute EMS Transport Billing?
Each year, the Village spends approximately $3 million transporting more than 3,400 patients to local hospitals. EMS Transport Billing helps underwrite a portion of this cost. Most communities surrounding Glenview have had similar programs for many years, primarily because the majority of revenue comes from private insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid, minimizing impact on patients. By billing insurance companies for medical transport, the Village expects to receive more than $1 million annually — allowing it to channel more dollars to other programs and services.
How does EMS Transport Billing work?
The Village of Glenview has contracted with a company to handle EMS transport billing. After patient care is provided, insurance information will be obtained routinely, often at the hospital. If it cannot be obtained this way, patients will receive a request for this information. Neither paramedics nor 9-1-1– Dispatch will ask you for your insurance information. Residents will not receive a bill; non-residents will be billed for fees not paid by insurance.
How will my privacy be protected?
All Department members have been trained on patient privacy Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements and will strictly adhere to those standards.
What if I don’t have insurance, or my insurance company won’t cover my EMS Transport Bill?
If you are a resident, the Village will not bill you for any costs incurred, regardless of your insurance situation. You may receive a statement regarding the status of the bill, but you will not receive an invoice for payment. If you are a non-resident, you will receive a bill for any portion of the service not covered by private insurance (by law, Medicare and Medicaid payments must be accepted as payment in full). However, the Village has adopted a compassionate billing policy and has established a hardship waiver for those who would suffer financial hardship due to an emergency medical transport.
What if I call an ambulance, but don’t need to go to the hospital?
There will be no fee.
Who will I call if I have a billing or insurance problem?
Call (888) 334-4252 with billing questions; if you have questions or concerns regarding service delivery, call (847) 657-6785.
What are the fees?
There are different rates for residents and non-residents (and these may change over time). Current rates are:
- Resident Rate: $790
- Non-Resident Rate: $890
There is also a travel fee of $10/mile for each.