Starting July 1, Virginia Beach EMS will implement a compassionate billing program that will bill patients’ health insurance plans for ambulance transports.

The program was approved as part of the City of Virginia Beach FY26 Budget, which established compassionate billing to support expanding emergency medical services and provide sustainable revenue for VBEMS and 10 volunteer rescue squads.

Program Information

• EMS billing will NOT be a consideration when providing patient care. The exceptional patient care will continue to be provided to Virginia Beach. No patient will ever be denied service, and every patient will be offered the same degree of care from EMS providers.
• EMS providers may ask for medical insurance information during a transport if the patient’s condition is stable and they have this information with them. If they do not, the EMS department may be able to obtain this information through the hospital, or the patient may receive a follow-up request for information in the mail.
• If you are a Virginia Beach resident, we will accept payment from your health insurance plan as payment in full. There will be no out-of-pocket expense.
• The program bills for ambulance transport services and for limited on scene advanced life support treatments which do not result in transport.

Billing and Insurance

• Virginia Beach EMS has partnered with third-party EMS billing company, Digitech Inc. The billing company will handle the entire billing process, from claim submission to collections, this outsourcing will allow the VBEMS providers to focus on patient care first and foremost.
• Depending on the call urgency, providers may request the patient’s information during ambulance transport. If it is a call that is severe or more complex, or the patient does not have it with them, the information may be obtained via the hospital the patient is transported.
• If the information cannot be obtained, then the patient will receive a follow-up request for information (RFI) in the mail for them to respond.
• Once Digitech Inc. has the patient’s insurance information, it will submit the valid claim to the insurance company, including Medicare.
• After receiving the insurance payment, Virginia Beach residents will have met their total financial obligation for the ambulance transport.
• Patients who do not reside in Virginia Beach but are transported from within Virginia Beach will be billed for any remaining co-payments or deductibles after their insurance payment has been received.
• Uninsured patients will be sent a statement that includes a hardship waiver form. We want no one to experience financial hardship because of an emergency medical transport.

Starting July 1, If you need to provide insurance or payment information regarding your transport or have specific questions about your EMS bill:

• Online: vbems.payambulance.com
• Phone: 1-888-290-5789
• Email: VBEMS@PayAmbulance.com

EMS Billing Program Rates

Current Schedule of Service Fees

• Advanced Life Support (ALS) without ambulance transport – $200
• Basic Life Support (BLS) with ambulance transport – $583
• Advanced Life Support (ALS) with ambulance transport – $701
• Advanced Life Support, Level 2 (ALS2) with ambulance transport – $997
• Ground transport mileage (GTM): $13/mile

• Read the Study

• Download Fact Sheet

Program Revenue

According to the compassionate billing study conducted by AP Triton, the program is expected to generate $14,749,189 in revenue that will be dedicated to the new Cost Recovery Special Revenue Fund (SRF). This funding will be allocated according to the revenue sharing formula shown in the table below and administered through formal memorandums of understanding with the volunteer rescue squads.