In an effort to offset rapidly increasing medical supply and fuel costs, the Little Hocking Volunteer Fire Department began billing insurance for medical transports. Although this was an extremely difficult decision to depart from a completely “free” service, the method in which we execute this process (Soft Billing) ensures there will be no out-of-pocket expense to the patient.
Medical Claims Assistance: MCA is the company that Belpre Township has chosen to contract as a billing agency for the Little Hocking Volunteer Fire Department. All run sheet information is collected by MCA and invoices are sent to proper insurances. MCA is a very respected company in this business and is used by numerous EMS agencies in the Mid-Ohio Valley.
Soft Billing: In what is referred to as soft billing, the patient’s insurance (i.e. Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance) is invoiced for services rendered. By law, we (the provider) must send a notice of payment which includes a balance of unpaid expenses. The patient may pay the balance if he or she wishes but will not be contacted again if the balance is not paid.
If the patient does not have insurance, no notice of payment or bill will be sent. However, MCA will attempt to contact the patient in order to confirm no insurance is available.
HIPAA: The Little Hocking Volunteer Fire Department and Medical Claims Assistance adhere strictly to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
If there are any questions about the preceding, please feel free to contact Chief Chevalier at 304.481.3477
