Virginia Beach EMS Begins New Compassionate Billing Program on July 1

Virginia Beach EMS will begin billing for ambulance transports and some advanced life-support treatments on July 1. Approved as part of the City of Virginia Beach FY26 Budget, compassionate billing will support expanding emergency medical services and provide sustainable revenue for VBEMS and 10 volunteer rescue squads. 

Program Information 

Compassionate billing means no one will ever be denied service based on ability to pay or for lack of health insurance. The VBEMS system will always provide exceptional and compassionate care to the community.  

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.  

Billing and Insurance 

Insured (Residents) 

• EMS will accept payment from your health insurance plan, Medicare or Medicaid as payment in full. There is no out-of-pocket expense. 
• The program bills for ambulance transport services and for limited on-scene advanced life support treatments that do not result in transport.  

Uninsured (Residents) 

• Uninsured patients will be sent a statement that includes a hardship waiver form. 
• VBEMS doesn’t want anyone to experience financial hardship because of an emergency medical transport. 

Visitors 

• Visitors transported from within the City of Virginia Beach will be billed for any remaining co-payments or deductibles after their insurance payment has been received. 
• Visitors who are uninsured will have the option of submitting a hardship waiver form. 

EMS Billing Program Rates and Info 

As of June 2025, the schedule of service fees is as follows: 

• 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 

For questions about EMS Billing, contact VBEMS by phone, email or online. 

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

Learn more at VirginiaBeach.gov/EMSBilling. 

EMS is an award-winning third-service agency that answers more than 56,000 calls for service annually. Through VB Rescue, EMS uses a combined career-volunteer workforce and was named a 2024 American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline Gold EMS Agency. Learn more about EMS by visiting ems.virginiabeach.gov. You can also contact Virginia Beach EMS at vbems@vbgov.com.     

• EMS Compassionate Billing