Transport billing
UNDERSTANDING OUR TRANSPORT BILLING: SUPPORTING COMMUNITY WELL-BEING AFTER EMERGENCIES
About Our Transport Billing Process:
Our emergency transport billing is managed by a third-party company, Systems Design, which assists us in handling all billing processes on behalf of the Toledo Fire Department. Their patient portal, linked below under RESOURCES, allows you to conveniently apply for financial assistance, make payments, request payment arrangements, and contact their team directly for support.
While Systems Design handles all billing-related matters, you are also welcome to reach out to our District Manager at 360-751-7117 or admin@toledofire.org for any additional assistance or questions. We’re here to help ensure this process is as smooth as possible for our community members.
balance billing
No Balance Billing for District Residents Starting January 1, 2025
We are pleased to announce that, effective January 1, 2025, residents of our fire district—both homeowners and renters—will no longer receive balance bills for emergency medical transports provided by our department. This change is designed to alleviate the financial burden for our community members when they require emergency transport and medical assistance.
What Is Balance Billing?
Balance billing occurs when a patient is billed for the remaining balance of a medical service after their insurance has paid its portion. For example, if an insurance company covers only part of the cost for an ambulance transport, the patient is typically responsible for paying the remaining balance out of pocket.
Starting in 2025, district residents will not be billed for any remaining balances for emergency transport services after insurance claims are processed. Instead, the Toledo Fire Department will absorb these costs as part of our commitment to supporting our community.
What If I Don’t Have Insurance?
We understand that some residents may lack medical insurance coverage. In these cases, although insurance cannot be billed, residents will not be burdened with the cost of emergency transport services. This policy is in place to ensure that all district residents, regardless of insurance status, are supported during emergencies.
What Charges Are Still Applicable?
It’s important to note that co-payments and deductibles determined by your insurance company are still applicable charges. However, we understand that emergencies are unexpected and difficult to budget for. Our third-party billing company offers flexible payment plans to help you manage these costs. They, like us, are committed to ensuring the process is as manageable as possible for our residents.
Who Does This Apply To?
This benefit applies to all district residents, including renters. Whether you own your home or rent within the district, you will be covered under this policy for incidents occurring after January 1, 2025.
We’re proud to take this step in easing the financial strain on our community members during times of emergency. If you have questions about this policy or how it applies to you, please don’t hesitate to contact our office for more information.
Request For Information:
If our billing company is unable to process a claim through your insurance, they may need additional information from you to complete the process. In such cases, you will receive correspondence in the mail requesting the necessary details. It is important that you respond promptly to these requests to ensure the claim can be processed efficiently. Ignoring their outreach may delay or complicate the billing process, so please take a moment to provide the requested information. Your cooperation helps us maintain smooth operations and ensures accurate billing for our services.