Every September, the City of Oklahoma City gives you the opportunity to change your participation in EMSA’s EMSAcare program.

The opt-in/opt-out period is Sept. 1-30.

• To opt-in or opt-out of the program: Call Utilities Customer Service at (405) 297-2833, or click here to access or create your online Utilities account, from which you can change your participation.  
• No action is required if you don’t want to make a change to your enrollment status. You can check your water bill or account to learn your enrollment status.

Membership with EMSAcare covers out-of-pocket expenses for emergency ambulance rides anywhere in the EMSA service area for all permanent members of your household, whether you are related or not – even if they don’t have medical insurance.

With the charge for a single emergency ambulance ride now more than $1,300, it is easy to see that EMSAcare is the smart choice for you and your family.

Cost

The EMSAcare cost is $3.65 per month, which will be billed on your monthly City water bill. The first billing cycle begins in October, which is the first day coverage begins for new participants. Coverage for all new participants begins October 1.

For renters

Apartment owners are required to notify tenants if they choose to opt out of the EMSAcare program. If your apartment has chosen not to participate, you can call (405) 396-2888 and sign up.

What is not covered

EMSAcare does not cover pre-scheduled non-emergency transports to and from doctors’ offices, dentists’ offices, physical therapy centers, pharmacies and other facilities. A non-emergency transport is an ambulance transfer that does not end at a hospital emergency room. Non-emergency transports are fully covered only if insurance or other third-party coverage covers a portion of the claim, and if a physician certification statement (establishing medical need for the ambulance transport) is provided. When no insurance or third-party coverage is available, EMSAcare members pay a reduced fee (40 percent off the standard non-emergency rate) for medically necessary non-emergency transports.

Collection

Approximately 10-15 days after your transport, you should receive a letter from EMSA requesting the name of your insurance provider. Your insurance provider is responsible for payment of ambulance services. Your EMSAcare membership covers all out of pocket expenses associated with your ride – expenses not covered by your insurance policy. Once you receive the letter, you will have 60 days to provide EMSA with insurance information pertaining to yourself or anyone living in your household covered by EMSA. Failure to provide the information nullifies your membership.

EMSA will collect payment from participating resident’s insurance, Medicaid or Medicare. To receive EMSAcare benefits, you must provide EMSA with your insurance/third-party payer information and furnish any information requested by your insurance company after a transport. If you do not have insurance, you will need to alert EMSA to this when you contact them following your transport. Out of pocket expense will be covered by your EMSAcare membership.

Multifamily property owners

People who own a duplex, apartment complex or mobile home park can get details about the program here.

Oklahoma City limits

It is not uncommon in Oklahoma City for residents to be confused about what city they actually live in. Many homeowners with a Yukon, Edmond or Moore address live in Oklahoma City and don't know it. 

One of the factors that confuse this issue is the fact that the U.S. Postal service is not concerned about where you actually live. Your address is determined by which post office delivers your mail. The assignment of school districts adds to the mix-up as well.

This map can help you determine if you are a resident of Oklahoma City.

This information is also important to know when it comes to Oklahoma City elections.

History

Oklahoma City’s EMSAcare program, formerly known as TotalCare, was launched Oct. 1, 2009.

Households were automatically enrolled in the ambulance program and residents had the option of opting out during the month of September.

The program was created because the cost to provide reliable service was growing faster than the City’s general fund budget could afford.

Without EMSAcare, the difference between the cost of operating an efficient and available ambulance services and the revenue brought in by EMSA would be millions of dollars. As the population ages, these costs will continue to rise.

Costs exceed EMSA’s revenue for several reasons:

1. Medicare and Medicaid have capped reimbursement for ambulance services at levels below the cost of providing the service. In 2009 these patients represent over half of all EMSA transports.

2. About 21 percent of those transported to hospitals in 2009 weren’t insured or were unable to pay.

This program gives residents a benefit while also addressing the growing costs.