Billing FAQs

To comply with applicable laws, requests for medical records must be made in writing. Spirit EMS maintains medical patient data in a secure manner, allowing release only to recognized entities with a legal right to review the contents.

If you are calling on behalf of a patient, Spirit EMS staff may only discuss patient information with you after receiving written or verbal authorization from the patient.

To request a copy of a medical record, you will need to complete a medical records release form and submit it to Spirit Medical Transport, LLC, 5484 Ohio Route 49 South, Greenville, Ohio 45331 via U.S. Mail. Requests may also be accepted by fax or email by contacting the billing office.

Completed requests for medical records will be mailed or faxed to the requesting party. Medical records are retained for a minimum of seven years. There is an associated fee for processing medical record requests, and fees vary depending on the amount of documentation requested.

If you have a Power of Attorney for Healthcare, attach a copy to your completed and signed authorization.

If you are the parent of a child under 18 years old, authorization requirements may depend on the patient's age and circumstances. Patients who are 18 years of age or older must complete their own authorization form.

You can use Spirit EMS Bill Pay to make a secure online payment on your bill. Spirit EMS also accepts personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.

Payments may also be made by mail using the remittance address located on your invoice, by phone, or in person at the Greenville location at 5484 Ohio Route 49 South, Greenville, Ohio.

All patients are required to provide their signature to acknowledge consent for treatment and transportation. A signature on file provides Spirit EMS with authorization to submit a bill on your behalf, assign benefits to Spirit, allow medical insurance carriers to pay Spirit directly, and acknowledge receipt of Spirit's Privacy Policy.

Spirit cannot submit a claim to a medical insurance carrier without a signed authorization of some type. Failure to provide a signed authorization may require Spirit to seek payment directly from the patient or guarantor.

Spirit provides comprehensive non-emergency transportation services to patients who need to be safely transported from one location to another. It is important to check with your insurance provider to determine whether the services you are requesting will be covered.

Many insurance companies require prior authorization for non-emergency services to be covered. When required, Spirit's Prior Authorization staff within the billing office can help guide you through the process.

In general, Medicare may cover medically necessary ambulance transportation to the nearest appropriate medical facility capable of treating the patient's condition at the time of transport.

Emergency ambulance transportation may qualify for Medicare coverage when transportation is required because of a sudden medical condition and the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to result in placing the patient's health in serious jeopardy, impairment to bodily functions, or serious dysfunction of a bodily organ or part.

Medicare requires ambulance transportation to be medically necessary and reasonable. To be considered medically necessary, the use of another method of transportation would generally need to be hazardous to the patient's health.

Insurance requirements can vary by carrier, so patients should confirm specific coverage requirements with their insurance provider.

In general, Medicare will not pay for non-emergency ambulance service unless the patient has a medical condition that makes ambulance transportation medically necessary.

A patient who is unable to get out of bed without assistance, unable to ambulate, and unable to sit in a chair or wheelchair may meet medical necessity requirements depending on the patient's individual circumstances.

Medicare also requires transportation to an appropriate medical facility. Transportation to a preferred hospital or facility that is not the nearest appropriate facility may affect coverage.

Medicare generally pays a portion of the Medicare-approved amount for covered ambulance services after applicable deductibles. The remaining amount may be the responsibility of the patient or the patient's secondary insurance carrier. As a courtesy, Spirit EMS will submit claims to secondary insurance carriers on the patient's behalf when applicable.

Wheelchair and ambulatory medical transportation are generally not covered benefits under Medicare. Patients who are able to walk and simply require medical transportation, or those confined to a wheelchair and being transported for another reason, may be responsible for paying for this service out of pocket.

Many Medicare supplemental insurance companies also do not cover this type of transportation. In some cases, patients with specialized commercial insurance plans, Medicaid, or certain Medicaid-assistance programs may have coverage for wheelchair or ambulatory transportation.

Because coverage varies, always contact your insurance carrier or Spirit's Prior Authorization department to verify benefits before service.

In most cases, medical transportation to a doctor's office is not a covered benefit under most insurance plans. Medicare coverage in these circumstances is limited and depends on the patient's medical condition, medical necessity, and other applicable requirements.

Many Medicare supplemental insurance companies also do not cover this type of transportation. Patients with certain specialized commercial insurance plans, Medicaid, or Medicaid-assistance programs may have coverage for ambulance stretcher transportation in some circumstances.

To determine whether you have coverage for this level of service, contact your insurance carrier or Spirit's Prior Authorization department.

Medicaid is a program funded by the state that provides medical insurance to patients who qualify under the program and may provide financial assistance in various ways.

Coverage for medical services varies by state and program. Patients should check with their Medicaid program to understand the coverage criteria for medical transportation.

In general, ambulance transportation must meet the specific medical-necessity criteria established by the applicable program. If you cannot get an answer from your assigned caseworker or through other resources, Spirit's Prior Authorization department can help answer questions about the process.

Ambulance and other medical transportation coverage varies from one insurance policy to another. It is important to review your insurance policy to understand the limitations and requirements of your coverage.

Prior authorization from your insurance carrier may be required when scheduling certain non-emergency transportation services.

If your policy does not provide 100 percent coverage for transportation, you may be required to pay a deductible or co-payment as outlined in your insurance policy. Patient responsibility is due according to the terms shown on the invoice.

If a patient does not have insurance coverage, the bill for Spirit's services will be due directly from the patient. Payment is due within 21 days of the invoice.

If a patient knows in advance that the service is not covered, a discount may be applied for up-front payment of the service.

Spirit EMS accepts personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Payments may be made by mail using the address shown on the invoice, by phone, or in person at the Greenville location.