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Frequently Asked Questions:
Go directly to EMS Billing Questions
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General Questions
Why does a Fire Truck come to my house when I call for an Ambulance?
Why does it cost so much just to ride up to the hospital?
Who do I need to contact to get an ambulance to stand by at our function?
Who do I need to contact to get someone to talk to our group?
I think I'd like to work in EMS. What do I need to do?
Lexington County EMS only handles emergency transports. Non-emergency transports are handled by private convalescent services. These services provide EMT's or Paramedics as necessary for all routine, non-emergency transports. Some also have special wheelchair services for those people that may need those services. You can find these in the yellow pages of your local phone book.
Why does a Fire Truck come to my house when I call for an Ambulance?
On more serious calls for service Fire Services personnel are sent because EMS units in a given community may already be on emergency calls for service, and a fire service resource may be closer than the closest ambulance. Firefighters in Lexington County are medically trained to assist the patient until EMS arrives and assumes patient care.
SC Code of Laws Section 56-5-2360(a) of the 1976 Code was amended to read:
Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of Section 56-5-4970 and visual signals meeting the requirements of Section 56-5-4700, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal or visual signal only, the driver of every other vehicle traveling along a two-lane roadway shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible, to the right hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in that position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer. A driver of a vehicle traveling along a multilane roadway shall yield the right-of-way and shall remain in, or move to a location that allows the emergency vehicle or police vehicle to pass safely, except as otherwise directed by a police officer."
As you can see, the law requires that you pull to the right. Since you should be pulling to the right, it is much safer for the ambulance to pass you on the left.
Why does it cost so much just to ride up to the hospital?
The cost to provide county-wide EMS coverage is expensive. In an effort to control those costs as much as possible, The County of Lexington has opted to cost share the burden of EMS coverage with the users of the system. This keeps the tax burden lower for all county citizens, specifically the citizens who don’t use the services of Lexington County EMS. Lexington County Council has established ambulance fees to offset the cost of EMS accordingly.
Who do I need to contact to get an ambulance to stand by at our function?
Lexington County EMS does not routinely provide dedicated coverage to events within the county. If your function requires ambulance coverage continuously, you may contact one of the local private ambulance services.
Who do I need to contact to get someone to talk to our group?
Personnel are sometimes available to talk with groups and provide demonstrations. To determine if personnel are available to talk with your group, contact Lexington County EMS at 803-785-8683 or fill out the Community Event Request From.
I think I'd like to work with EMS. What do I need to do?
Lexington County EMS offers a comprehensive pathway for individuals seeking to enter the field of emergency medical services, accommodating both those with and without current certification. Prospective personnel can join the organization through two distinct avenues: as non-certified candidates or as certified employees.
For individuals without existing EMT certification, Lexington County EMS conducts two annual EMS Academies. These intensive programs provide the necessary training to achieve EMT certification. Successful completion of the academy, followed by passing both written and practical skills examinations as mandated by the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) EMS Division, is required for certification.
Alternatively, certified EMTs can join the organization through a streamlined new employee training program, which focuses on acclimating them to Lexington County EMS protocols and procedures. Lexington County posts certificated hiring opportunities multiple times per year. Anyone interested should visit the current job listing page in the Human Resources section of the County’s website.
EMS Billing Questions
Who do I contact with questions about my ambulance bill?
Where should I mail my payment?
What address should I mail a Medical Records requests?
I was transported by the ambulance, what information do you need to file with my insurance carrier?
What Should I do with the check I received from my insurance provider?
Who do I contact with questions about my ambulance bill?
If you have a question or concern about the transport or the care you received, need a copy of your patient record or believe you have been billed incorrectly, contact Sara Oliveira at (803) 785-8340 or email your question to Sara Oliveira
If you need additional information about the status of your bill or need to provide additional insurance information to process your payment, please contact our third-party billing company. For dates of service prior to July 1, 2024, please contact Lowcountry Billing at (803) 957-7111. For dates of service from July 1, 2024 to present, please contact Digitech Computer, LLC at (833) 496-6050. If the third-party billing company is unable to answer your question or resolve the matter to your satisfaction, contact Sarah Oliveira at (803) 785-8340.
Where should I mail my payment?
For dates of service prior to July 1, 2024:
Lowcountry Billing Service
PO Box 84278
Lexington, SC 29073
For dates of service of July 1, 2024 to present:
Lexington County EMS
Billing Department
PO Box 604295
Charlotte, NC 28260-4295
What address should I mail a Medical Records request?
Requests from attorneys for Medical Records either by Subpoena or Medical Release forms signed by the patient and/or personal representative should be mailed to Lexington County EMS, Attention: Billing Bureau, 407 Ball Park Road, Lexington, SC 29072. Payments should be made payable to Lexington County EMS. Payments should be included with the request or an invoice can be sent to you, due within 30 days of receipt.
I was transported by the ambulance, what information do you need to file with my insurance carrier?
Please provide as much insurance information to the ambulance crew as possible at the time of transport, including the name of your insurance carrier, the policy number, identification number, group number, and the name of policy holder. If you have more than one insurance carrier, we need information for all carriers, as well as which is primary, secondary, etc. We encourage you to contact the third-party billing company for your date of service with any additional information that would help us expedite processing of your payment. For dates of services prior to July 1, 2024, please contact Lowcountry Billing Service at (803) 957-7111. For dates of service from July 1, 2024 to the present, please contact Digitech Computer, LLC at (803) 496-6050
What should I do with the check I received from my insurance provider?
Lexington County does not participate in any networking with insurance carriers; therefore the payment for services rendered by Lexington County EMS may come to you. Should this occur, you are then responsible for forwarding the payment to Lexington County EMS. The most common way to do this is to either deposit the check into your checking account and make a check out to Lexington County EMS, or endorse the check you received to Lexington County EMS. Please be sure to include the patient’s name, and account number on the check, so that we can assure the payment is applied correctly.
Did you Know?
It's true that Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a vital part of our communities, and there are many aspects of it that are often not seen by the general public.
Here are some facts that many citizens might not be aware of:
EMS is more than just transportation:
While ambulances transporting patients to hospitals is a highly visible part of EMS, providers deliver critical medical care on scene and while enroute to the hospital.
This includes administering medications, performing advanced medical procedures, and stabilizing patients in complex situations.
Increasingly, EMS is involved in community paramedicine, which focuses on preventative care and addressing chronic conditions outside of emergency situations. Lexington County EMS has a Community Paramedic program that has been established since 2021.
EMS Education:
EMS providers undergo rigorous training and education. There are different levels of certification, such as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMTs), Paramedics, Critical Care Paramedics, and Community Paramedics, each with increasing levels of medical knowledge and skills.
Paramedics, in particular, have extensive training that allows them to perform advanced medical procedures similar to those performed in a hospital emergency department.
EMS is very diverse:
EMS professionals respond to a wide range of emergencies, including medical emergencies, trauma incidents, and natural disasters.
They also play a crucial role in public health initiatives, such as vaccination campaigns and community health education.