The City of OKC and EMSA send this information as posted below:
September is EMSAcare month in Oklahoma City. From Sept. 1 to 30, Oklahoma City residents may change their membership status with the ambulance service.
EMSAcare covers the out-of-pocket expenses for emergency ambulance transports ending at a hospital ER anywhere in the EMSA service area, which is most of the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas. It applies to all permanent household members, regardless of their age or relationship to each other and even if they don’t have medical insurance.
Oklahoma City residents who are not EMSAcare members can enroll by logging on to their Utilities account through the My OKC Utilities mobile app, visiting okcutilities.com or calling Utilities Customer Service at (405) 297-2833. The monthly membership fee is $3.65 and will be added to your OKC Utilities bill.
This summer, the OKC Fire Department began operating an ambulance transport service in Oklahoma City to supplement EMSA’s services. Coverage through EMSAcare applies to any emergency transports completed by the OKCFD.
Even with good insurance coverage, a typical emergency ambulance ride can cost a patient about $800. Without insurance, it can cost more than $1,400. EMSAcare covers everything a patient owes, including copays, co-insurance and deductibles.
EMSAcare gives residents peace of mind that medical emergencies won’t become financial emergencies. Visit okc.gov/emsacare for more information.
Those enrolled in the program may opt out during the election period but can’t enroll again until September 2025. Those who opt out may be responsible for out-of-pocket expenses associated with their ambulance transport.
If a resident takes no action, their enrollment status won’t change.
Residents living in multi-family housing units, such as apartments, who do not have an OKC Utilities account can check with their landlord to determine if they are enrolled in the program. If not, they can enroll directly with EMSA for a $45 annual fee by calling (405) 396-2888 or visiting emsaonline.com/emsacare/.
People who live in retirement, assisted living and similar facilities are not eligible for the City program but may enroll in EMSAcare directly through EMSA by calling (405) 396-2888 or by visiting emsaonline.com/emsacare/.
Key program points include:
- EMSAcare’s promise to patients: Whether insurance covers a little, a lot or nothing at all for emergency medical services, EMSAcare covers what insurance doesn’t for emergency transports.
- How EMSAcare works: If insured, EMSA will request your insurance information to bill your provider for the transport. Then EMSAcare will cover any additional remaining fees or out-of-pocket expenses like co-payments or deductibles. Every patient will receive a statement from EMSA after an ambulance transport, typically notifying the patient of the amount EMSA will bill the insurance provider or request additional insurance information. If uninsured, EMSAcare will cover the costs for qualified emergency medical transports.
- Which transports are covered: All emergency transports in EMSA’s service area are fully covered regardless of where you are picked up. The transport does not have to originate from your home. EMSA’s service area includes Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills, The Village and Tulsa. There is no limit to the number of transports that are covered.
- Program enrollment status: Current program participants will see their enrollment status noted as a medical services program fee on their water bill. For those who do not receive a water bill, like residents of multi-housing units, City ordinance requires property managers to notify residents in writing if the property is covered by the EMSAcare program. If you do not know if you are covered, contact your property manager or the Utilities Department at (405) 297-2833.
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