Billing Information
When Sunstar transports you, the paramedics will complete a Patient Care
Report, also referred to as a "run report". The paramedics will
document the information concerning your condition, with the medical assessment
and care rendered to you.
Sunstar must follow Federal Government Guidelines for the billing and coding
(categorizing medical conditions) of ambulance patients. Our billing staff will
use the information documented on the run report to determine the appropriate
diagnosis and procedure codes that apply to your ambulance transport.
If you have NOT been previously transported by Sunstar and complete Medicare
or insurance information was not obtained at the time ambulance service was
provided an invoice will be sent to you, along with a request for your insurance
or Medicare information.
Please complete the form and return it to our office. Our address is, Sunstar,
P.O. Box 31074, Tampa, FL 33631-3074, or you may call our office at
727-582-2008. The information may also be faxed to us at 727-582-2021.
If Sunstar has previously transported you, and we have current Medicare or
insurance information in our billing system, one of the following will occur:
If you have Medicare Part B coverage, our office will file a
claim to Medicare Part B on your behalf. You will receive a letter notifying you
that Medicare has been billed. Your account will be placed on hold, allowing
ample time for Medicare to process your claim.
If you have Medicare Part B and Medicaid coverage, our office
will file a claim to Medicare Part B on your behalf. You will receive a letter
notifying you that Medicare has been billed. Your account will be placed on
hold, allowing ample time for Medicare to process your claim. If Medicare
approves your claim for payment, the balance will be billed to Medicaid.
If you have Medicare Part B and supplemental insurance, our
office will file a claim to Medicare Part B on your behalf. You will receive a
letter notifying you that Medicare has been billed. Your account will be placed
on hold, allowing ample time for Medicare to process your claim. If Medicare
approves your claim for payment, and we have your supplemental insurance
information, our office will file a claim on your behalf for the co-insurance
amount.
If you have a Medicare HMO or other insurance that is your
primary coverage, our office will file a claim on your behalf. Your account will
be placed on hold, allowing ample time for your insurance to process your claim.
If your transport was a result of a Motor Vehicle Accident, our
office will send a letter requesting your automobile insurance information. We
request that you complete the form in its entirety. Once the completed
information is returned to our office, we will file a claim to your insurance
carrier. Your account will be placed on hold, allowing ample time for your
insurance company to process your claim.
If you have Medicaid coverage only, your transport must meet the
criteria Medicaid has established for ambulance transports, in order for our
office to file a claim on your behalf. The fact that you are eligible for
Medicaid does not guarantee that Medicaid will pay for your transport. If
you have any questions regarding Medicaid’s criteria, please refer to your
Medicaid Handbook or call your local Medicaid Transportation Office.
If you are member of our Sunstar FirstCare Ambulance Membership
Plan, our billing staff will bill the account appropriately. For
your convenience, there is additional information regarding our membership plan
in this website.
Unfortunately, not all claims filed by Sunstar are paid by Medicare or insurance
companies. Medicare and insurance companies have their own specific criteria for
payment of claims, and not all transports meet their criteria, which may result
in a denied claim. There are specific procedures for refiling claims, and you
may want to consult with either Medicare or your insurance carrier for further
information and assistance.
Our customer service representatives at Sunstar are very knowledgeable and
experienced in the procedures for refiling claims. They may be able to assist
you in the refiling process. You may call our office at 727-582-2008 for more
information.
Sunstar Emergency Medical Services is a branch of Pinellas County Government,
therefore, we are unable to offer any discounts or negotiate any reductions in
our established rates.
For your convenience, Sunstar accepts several forms of payment by mail, such
as checks, money orders, Visa and MasterCard. If you prefer to pay in cash,
please visit our office at 12490 Ulmerton Road, Largo, Florida. If you are
unable to pay the account balance in full, monthly payment arrangements are
available.
For other billing questions, please call 727-582-2008.