Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Billing

Ambulance Billing Information

The Arlington County Fire Department’s highly skilled personnel provide Emergency Medical Services (EMS), including ambulance transportation, over 15,000 times per year. Anyone needing these services within Arlington County and surrounding areas are served immediately, regardless of income, by calling 9-1-1. Prior to the County Board enacting a policy to charge for EMS (Emergency Medical Service) transport, this service was provided free to the user. The policy was enacted in part to take advantage of available reimbursements from Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies. The fee saves Arlington taxpayers money by enabling the County to shift some of the cost of providing these services to the user or their medical insurance. Starting in fiscal year 2006, the EMS transport fee structure changed from a flat transport fee to a transport fee based on the level of service provided during the transport.

Definitions

BLS Transport

Basic Life Support (BLS) is transportation by ground ambulance and the provision of medically necessary supplies and services by EMS personnel who are certified as Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic.

ALS, Level 1 Transport

Advanced Life Support (ALS), Level 1 is transportation by ground ambulance and the provision of medically necessary supplies and services including the provision of an ALS assessment or at least one ALS intervention by EMS personnel who are certified as Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate or Paramedic.  

ALS, Level 2 Transport

Advanced Life Support (ALS), Level 2 is transportation by ground ambulance and the provision of medically necessary supplies and services including (1) at least three separate intravenous administrations of one or more medications (excluding crystalloid fluids) or (2) the provision of at least one of the following procedures:

• Manual defibrillation/cardioversion
• Endotracheal intubation
• Central venous line
• Cardiac pacing
• Chest decompression
• Surgical airway
• Intraosseous line