Billing & Insurance FAQ
WHY DID I RECEIVE A BILL?
If you received a bill, you were reported as uninsured or “self-pay,” or we did not receive your insurance information. If we billed your insurance or health plan, there may be a plan copayment or deductible, or the claim was denied by your insurance carrier or health plan provider. Contact your health plan provider.
CAN I FILE A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE OR HEALTH PLAN?
Call our billing department at 415-931-3000 to provide insurance or health plan information; return a copy of the front and back of your insurance ID card in the envelope provided with the bill you received. We accept private and commercial insurance (PPO and HMO), workers’ compensation insurance, Medicare (Part B), medical, Tricare and VA benefits, and all local community health plans. King-American will file a claim with your insurance or health plan as a courtesy on your behalf. All claims are subject to insurance or health plan approval of payable benefits. Insured patients and guarantors are responsible for payment of their policy copayments and deductibles, and for payment of any charges not covered, excluded or otherwise denied by their insurance carrier or health plan. If you are covered by a secondary (supplemental) insurer, contact the billing department with your secondary insurance or plan information so we can file a supplemental claim on your behalf. You are responsible for the coordination of your benefits.
HOW CAN I PAY MY BILL DIRECTLY TO KING-AMERICAN?
Pay by check to King-American Ambulance Company. Pay online by clicking the link here or the button at the top labeled “Click Here to Pay Now.” A payment receipt will be available via email upon payment. Pay by credit card through return mail or call 415-931-3000, extension 131. Payment options include:
- Private commercial insurance (HMO and PPO).
- Medicare (Part B only), and Medi-Cal and managed care plans.
- VA benefits for service veterans and Tricare enrollees.
- Workers compensation.
- Members of the Community Health Network and local community health programs, including Healthy San Francisco, San Francisco Health Plan, Chinese Community Health Plan.
- Checks payable to King-American Ambulance Company.
- Pay online here, and a receipt will be sent via email.
- Call our billing department at 415-931-3000, extension 131, and pay by credit card using your Visa or MasterCard, or by return mail in the envelope provided with your bill.
- All claims are subject to insurance or health plan approval of payable benefits.
WHAT CAN I DO IF I BELIEVE I RECEIVED A BILL IN ERROR?
Patients who are disputing their insurance policy or health plan co-payments, deductibles, excluded or uncovered charges, or denied claims for which they are being billed should contact their insurance carrier or health plan provider. Do not file an appeal with King-American Ambulance Company. Patients and insured guarantors who otherwise believe they received a bill in error must submit a letter to King-American detailing the reasons why they believe the bill is in error. The letter must be signed. ALL appeals must be submitted in writing and must be delivered via U.S. Mail (telephone calls, fax or email appeals will not be accepted). Appeal letters must be sent to the company address shown on the bill. Reviews may take up to 30 days. Once a determination is made, you will be notified in writing. Appeals shall not be subject to further review or consideration.
WHAT IF I REFUSED TRANSPORT?
King-American will charge a “response-to-call” fee regardless of the patient’s decision to cancel or to refuse transport to a hospital or emergency facility. We can file a claim with your insurance carrier or health plan. Benefits are payable as determined by your health plan. You may be responsible for payment. Contact your insurance carrier or health plan for more information regarding your plan benefits. Medicare will not pay ambulance benefits if you refused transport.
WHAT IF I HAVE A THIRD-PARTY LIABILITY CLAIM?
If you were insured, please identify your coverage. If you were uninsured and are asserting a claim of third-party liability, we are not a party to that claim. However, if the third-party insurance has accepted liability or if you have retained an attorney who represents you, please provide the name and address of your attorney or the third-party insurer and your claim number. As a courtesy, we will file a claim on your behalf, or we may accept lien. We must first seek third-party reimbursement before we are allowed to bill Medicare or Medi-Cal.
CAN I PLEAD FINANCIAL HARDSHIP?
Patients and guarantors asserting personal financial hardship should submit a letter stating the bases of the personal financial hardship claim. The letter must be signed and be delivered via U.S. Mail to 2570 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA 94115-2003, Attention: Office of Appeals. Reviews may take up to 30 days. Telephone calls and fax or emails will not be accepted. King-American is under no obligation to offer reduced rates or discounts except under insurance provider agreements or government health care contracts, such as Medicare and medical. Patients or guarantors are responsible for full payment of the principal amount assigned to the collection agency plus interest at the agency’s legally established rate.
WHAT IF I WAS A VICTIM OF A VIOLENT CRIME?
If you were uninsured for the date of service, you may qualify for assistance through the state’s Victims of Crime Compensation Program administered by the CA Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board. Contact the San Francisco District Attorney’s office victims’ advocate at 415-553-9044 or 800-777-9229, or go online at www.vcgcb.ca.gov. If you are eligible and you file an application, call us with the claim number assigned to your case so we can file a claim on your behalf.
WHAT IF THIS WAS A WORK-RELATED ILLNESS OR INJURY?
You should have filed a report with your employer for the workers’ compensation insurance carrier to establish your claim. Contact us with the name, address and telephone number of your employer, or the name and address of your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier and the claim number assigned for your claim. We will then be able to file the appropriate claim on your behalf.