EMS Discount Program

INTRODUCTION

What is the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS) Discount Program?

ATCEMS began its discount program in 2009 to assist the uninsured or underinsured who have received emergency ambulance services. The department updated the program for services provided on or after October 1, 2020.

Who may qualify for the Discount Program?

The Discount program is for individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. Individuals may qualify as financially or medically indigent as described below:

Financially Indigent: Financially indigent means an uninsured or underinsured person who is accepted for care with a discounted obligation to pay for the services rendered based on Charity Care Eligibility System. Services eligible under this procedure will be made available to the patient on a sliding fee scale, in accordance with financial need, as determined in reference to Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) in effect at the time of the determination. To qualify an individual must:

• Not have insurance to cover the ambulance service provided
• Have a family income and family size as described by the Federal Poverty Levels:

*Federal guidelines can be found at https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines

Medically Indigent: Medically indigent means a patient whose ATCEMS bills, after payment by third- party payers, exceeds a specified percentage of the person’s Yearly Income, and who is unable to pay the remaining bill. A medically indigent patient will receive a 50% discount on the qualifying service. To qualify an individual must have:

• Healthcare insurance
• ATCEMS bills exceeding ten percent (10%) of the patient/s Adjusted Gross Income
• A family income less than or equal to 500 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines

COVERAGE

A new application must be submitted if additional ambulance transports are provided more than 90 days after the date of approval for the program.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Please contact ATCEMS Billing Office immediately if your home or billing address changes.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please contact an ATCEMS Representative for questions or concerns at EMSBillingInfo@austintexas.gov or 512.972.7210. ATCEMS Billing Office Hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.