Payments Policies
It will be the policy of Washington County – Johnson City EMS to make every effort to ensure accurate and complete patient billing and to collect payment for all transports and services rendered. Staff will make every effort to collect correct and accurate patient and billing information in order to efficiently bill and collect on patient accounts. The billing office will file available insurance information on all patients and process claims within 45 days of service. Patients will be billed for the balance of any amounts not covered by the patients insurance. The billing office will make every effort to work with patients to ensure accurate and efficient billing of their claims. Washington County – Johnson City EMS offers numerous options for patients to settle their account including but not limited to accepting all major credit cards, zero interest payment plans, and assistance to individuals who fall below the poverty level. In all instances it is the patients responsibility to contact WC-JC EMS regarding their payment options.
While WC-JC EMS is a non-profit Quasi Governmental agency we have a responsibility to the taxpayers to be fiscally responsible and to ensure that revenues are available to provide the services the citizens of Washington County, Johnson City, and the Town of Jonesborough deserve and have come accustom to. WC-JC EMS utilizes a third party collection service to pursue unpaid accounts in which no effort has been made on the patient’s part to settle the account after 60 days.
The WC-JC EMS billing department is available Monday through Friday 8:00 to 4:30 to assist you in any way call 423-975 5500 or stop by the office located at 296 Wesley Street, Johnson City, TN 37601.
Billing FAQs
(click on the plus symbol to expand answer)
Billing Yes. All of our EMT’s and Paramedics are state licensed and hold certifications form various Agencies.
No. Individuals can arrange non-emergency transports for themselves or family members by calling our Convalescent Dispatch at 423-975-5515. If you have an EMERGENCY Call 911.
Yes. Most insurance providers cover ambulance transports. WC-JC EMS will make every effort to collect payment from your insurance company.Most insurance providers require pre-approval for non-emergency transports.
Yes. Our staff works very hard to obtain all necessary billing information from the patient and family. We will file the patients insurance for the transport and bill the patient for any amounts not covered by insurance.
Yes. We accept most credit cards for payment and you may call in, stop by our office, or pay on line at www.wcjcems.org.
We accept all major credit cards, check, and cash payments. Please contact our billing office for assistance in setting up the right payment option for you.
Our billing office is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 to 4:30. You can reach us by phone at 423-975-5500 or submit a question on line at www.wcjcems.org.
It depends. Most transports from long term care facilities to the hospital or Dr. Offices are the responsibility of the patient. WC-JC EMS does have contracts with Hospital Facilities for inner-facility transfers, which are generally covered by that facility. Please contact our office for specific questions regarding your bill.
The billing office processes trips and files insurance which takes approximately one month. If you have not received a statement from us within 30 days of your transport please contact our office. Many times the field staff receives inaccurate or out-of-date patient information from facilities and do not have a correct address on file.
Yes. WC-JC EMS charges an Ambulance response fee if the patient or family member calls 911 and then there is no transport. The fee will be $50.00 or $150.00 depending on the care provided on scene. WC-JC EMS does not charge a response fee for Rescue and First Responder units.
WC-JC EMS has various charges for Ambulance Transports based on the type of call and level of care rendered. Please contact our billing office for specific questions about your bill.
Many insurance providers will not pay for non-emergency transports and transfers. While the trip may be medically necessary it is not an emergency transport and many insurance providers will only pay for emergency transports. All non-emergency transports require prior authorization from your insurance provider in order for them to pay.
Transports from one hospital to another may be covered by one of the facilities however many times the patient is discharged from the facility to be re-admitted at the new receiving facility at which point the patient/insurance is responsible.
Many insurance providers will not pay for non-emergency transports and transfers. While the trip may be medically necessary it is not an emergency transport and many insurance providers will only pay for emergency transports. All non-emergency transports require prior authorization from your insurance provider in order for them to pay. Any transport not going directly to the Emergency Department is classified as a Non-Emergency transport regardless of urgency or mode of transport per insurance guidelines.
No, Medicare does not pay for Doctors office transport no matter the reason..even if there is an medical necessity signed by dr.
If you have Tenncare (Americhoice or Bluecare) or Medicare complete the non-emergency transport must be approved by them before they will pay and we are not able to call those in, it must be done by patient, their caregiver or facility they are in. WC-JC EMS is not allowed to call for transport approval. Southeastrans (Bluecare) is open 24hrs, 7 days a week. Americhoice is open Monday-Friday 8-5.
Most incidents the trip was correctly billed. A transport is not an emergency if you are going directly to a room at the receiving facility. (ex. Franklin Woods to JCMC room 2404)
The only way that it is MSHA’s responsibility to pay is if you were sent to JCMC for a procedure and then back to Franklin Woods, if not then the transport is the patients responsibility and we will file for insurance if applicable.
