Patient Transfers
Kinross EMS provides both emergency and non-emergency patient transfers. If you are in need of a medical transport of a family member Kinross EMS can provide that service for you.
In most cases emergency transfers are arranged by the hospital in which the patient is currently registered. A patient and/or their family have the ability to provide input as to the transporting agency, even in an emergency. In the case of a non-emergency transfer the patient and/or their family has complete control over selecting the transporting agency, providing that the license level of the agency they request is adequate for the patient needs and care requirements.
Most medical transports can be covered by your insurance, Medicaid or Medicare.
Whether it is for a transport of a patient to a local rehabilitation and extended care facility or for a long distance transport of a patient to be treated at a hospital some distance away or to be returned home, “medical necessity” must be established according to insurance guidelines before any of the companies will consider payment for the service. All patients and/or their family members must be aware of this as they may be financially responsible.
The transporting EMS agency must be furnished with a Physician Certification Statement (PCS) from the sending facility. The PCS form must be submitted by the transporting agency with their billing before they can attempt to receive payment. This form must explain the medical reason that transport by ambulance, and no other means, is required and must be signed by the sending physician. The reason for ambulance transport must be based on the physical and functional status of the patient at the time of transport. This must be a legitimate reason that an ambulance is required such as the patient meets “bedridden” criteria, or medication drips must be monitored, etc… it cannot be because the patient does not have a vehicle. When considering payment of the claim, an insurance company asks the question “could this patient have been safely transported by personal vehicle or wheel chair van?” If the answer is yes – then payment will be denied.
If a medical necessity form is not furnished or the patient condition does not meet the criteria for ambulance transport, this does not mean the patient cannot be transported by ambulance. It simply means that the patient or the family will most likely be responsible for payment of the services provided. Most EMS agencies are not attempting to make a profit. Most agencies have the goal of providing and retaining well prepared professionals to safely serve our communities. They simply must be funded in order to keep the doors open and have the ability to respond when you dial 911.
Definitions:
Emergency = emergency care is required in case of an immediate threat to a person's own life or someone else's life, a threat of grave disability, and active childbirth.
Non Emergency = care that is required to avoid a crisis in the future due to an unexpected illness or injury.
