TotalCare Ambulance Program for apartment, duplex &
mobile home park owners
Your TotalCare responsibilities as an apartment owner or manager
You have an opportunity to give your tenants the added benefit of EMSA’s TotalCare ambulance program when Oklahoma City implements the program citywide on October 1, 2009. Your apartment complex will automatically be enrolled in the program unless you opt out during the month of September.
Owners or managers of apartments or buildings with two or more units can participate in the membership program at a discounted rate. Your TotalCare membership covers all permanent residents living in your apartment complex.
Here’s how the TotalCare ambulance program works
Tenants that live in a property participating in the TotalCare ambulance program will not have to pay out-of-pocket expenses for emergency ambulance rides given by EMSA. The current charge for an emergency ambulance transport is at least $1,100.
Your apartment complex will not be responsible for any expenses other than the monthly cost of the program. EMSA will collect payment from residents’ insurance, Medicaid or Medicare, but not bill residents for co-payments, deductibles or other out-of-pocket charges.
Generally the ambulance ride has to end at a hospital’s emergency room to be considered an emergency transport. Tenants also pay no out-of-pocket costs for non-emergency transports, if there’s third-party coverage for any portion of the charges. A non-emergency transport is a medical transfer that does not terminate at a hospital emergency room.
How much will this cost?
The cost depends on the number of units on your property. We will take the number of units you have, both occupied and unoccupied, and divide it in half to reflect variances in occupancy. The resulting figure is rounded down to the lowest whole number.
For example, if there are 75 units on your property, 75 divided by half equals 37.5. This figure is rounded down to the lowest whole number, which is 37. Then, we multiply 37 by $3.65 (the monthly rate homeowners pay), which equals $135.05. That’s what your monthly fee would be. That’s equal to about $1.80 per unit, per month.
Your utility bill reflects the number of units on your property. If there is a discrepancy in the number of units, please call Utility Customer Service at (405) 297-2833.
How do I sign up?
You don’t need to take action to participate in the program. Your apartment complex will automatically be enrolled in the program unless you opt out during the month of September.
The membership fee will be added to your October water utility bill. TotalCare ambulance coverage for your tenants will begin on October 1.
How do I opt out?
You can opt out during the month of September by calling Utilities Customer Service at (405) 297-2833 or by logging on to www.okc.gov/totalcare.
The next opportunity to opt out will be September 2010.
If I choose to opt out, do I have to tell my tenants?
Yes. If you chose to opt out City Ordinance No. 23765 requires you to notify your tenants of your decision and obtain a signed Medical Service Program Tenant Notification Form (notification form) from each of them. It’s imperative that renters know they are not covered by TotalCare while they are living in your complex.
For your convenience, the notification form is available on the City’s Web site, www.okc.gov/totalcare. You must keep these signed notification forms on file and make them available for inspection by the City of Oklahoma City upon request. DO NOT mail copies to the City or to EMSA.
Non-participating complexes should add the notification form to your standard leasing packet. Violation of this provision can result in a fine of up to $500, plus court costs and fees.
In short, to opt out an apartment owner/manger must do the following:
- Call Utilities Customer Service, (405) 297-2833 or by log on to www.okc.gov/totalcare during the month of September.
- Have each renter sign a notification form, which can be downloaded from www.okc.gov/totalcare
- Keep renters form on file and make them available to the City upon request.
If I choose to opt out, can my tenants sign up individually?
Yes, renters can purchase their own TotalCare membership from EMSA at approximately the same price Utility customers pay on an annual basis. EMSA has a TotalCare hotline, (405) 396-2888, and would be happy to mail them a brochure or provide information.
I own a small apartment building, but my family and I live in our own home. If the apartment building participates but we opt-out at home, does my family get benefits?
No. Benefits cover only those individuals who are permanent residents of the participating address. If your family lives at the apartment building along with your tenants, then you would be covered.
For more information about the TotalCare Ambulance program, call (405) 396-2888.
With the charge for emergency ambulance service now over $1,100, it is easy to see that the TotalCare program is a good deal for you and your tenants.
Questions?
For information about: TotalCare Program call:
- EMSA: 396-2888
- Utility customer service: 297-2833 or TDD 297-2020
- www.okc.gov/totalcare