Evansville Fire Department Shares Program To Reduce Ambulance Bill Shock

The Evansville Fire Department has announced the continuation of Rescue Shield, an ambulance membership program designed to help residents avoid unexpected out-of-pocket ambulance costs during medical emergencies.

According to the department, Rescue Shield continues as a type of ambulance membership coverage that has existed in the community for years as local emergency medical services transition. The program is designed to work alongside commercial insurance or Medicare to help reduce or eliminate remaining balances tied to medically necessary ambulance transports provided by the Evansville Fire Department.

For an annual fee, the membership covers everyone living in the household, including spouses and dependent children.

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What Rescue Shield Covers

The Evansville Fire Department says Rescue Shield helps protect members from balance billing tied to medically necessary emergency ambulance transports within the Evansville service area.

The department says that after insurance pays, eligible remaining out-of-pocket costs may be covered through the membership program.

According to EFD, Rescue Shield applies to:

• Emergency 911 ambulance transports within the Evansville service area
• Medically necessary transports provided by the Evansville Fire Department
• Certain out-of-pocket costs that are not covered by commercial insurance or Medicare
• Eligible costs when a patient is treated on scene but refuses transport

Read More: New Chapter For EMS As Evansville Fire Dept. Takes Over

What Is Not Covered

The program does not cover:

• Non-emergency transfers between facilities
• Patient-requested transports that are not medically necessary
• Ambulance transports outside the Evansville service area
• Transport to physician offices, pharmacies, dental offices, physical therapy centers, or standalone dialysis centers.

The FAQ materials shared by EFD also note that Medicaid recipients are not eligible for enrollment due to federal regulations surrounding ambulance subscription programs.

How Much Does Rescue Shield Cost?

The annual membership fee is $89 per household.

EFD says the coverage becomes effective immediately after enrollment is completed online. Mail-in enrollments become effective once payment is processed.

How To Sign Up For Rescue Shield

Residents can enroll online. The department says that residents who need assistance with enrollment or have questions about coverage can contact the Rescue Shield membership team by calling 866-949-9715.

Important Things To Know Before Enrolling

The Evansville Fire Department says that Rescue Shield does not automatically renew each year and only applies to transports provided by the Evansville Fire Department.

Residents can learn more or enroll in Rescue Shield by visiting the enrollment website shared by EFD on Facebook.