EMSAcare enrollment is Sept. 1-30 for OKC residents

Published on August 28, 2026

September is EMSAcare enrollment month in Oklahoma City. From Sept. 1 to 30, Oklahoma City residents may change their membership status with the ambulance service.

EMSAcare covers the out-of-pocket expenses for EMSA treatment-in-place services and emergency ambulance transports ending at a hospital ER anywhere in the EMSA service area, which includes the City of Oklahoma City and the City of Tulsa.

EMSAcare membership benefits apply to all permanent household members, regardless of their age or relationship with each other and even if they don't have medical insurance.

Beginning Oct. 1, EMSAcare will increase its ambulance transport rates and introduce a new $500 treatment-in-place fee for patients who are assessed and provided medical treatment but are not transported to a hospital. These rate changes will not affect EMSAcare members, as membership covers all out-of-pocket costs for both ambulance transport and treatment-in-place services.

Oklahoma City residents who are not EMSAcare members can enroll by logging on to their Utilities account through the My OKC Utilities mobile app, visiting okcutilities.com or calling Utilities Customer Service at 405-297-2833. The monthly membership fee is $3.65 and will be added to your OKC Utilities bill.

Residents can only opt out in September and can't enroll again until September 2027. Those who opt out may be responsible for out-of-pocket expenses associated with their ambulance transport or Treatment-in-Place services.

If a resident takes no action, their enrollment status won't change.

Even with good insurance coverage, a typical emergency ambulance ride can cost a patient about $800. Without insurance, it can cost more than $1,650. EMSAcare covers everything a patient owes, including copays, co-insurance and deductibles.

EMSAcare gives residents peace of mind that medical emergencies won't become financial emergencies. Visit okc.gov/emsacare for more information.

In 2024, the OKC Fire Department began operating an ambulance transport service in Oklahoma City to supplement EMSA's services. Coverage through EMSAcare applies to any emergency transports completed by the OKCFD.

Residents living in multi-family housing units, such as apartments, who do not have an OKC Utilities account can check with their landlord to determine if they are enrolled in the program. If not, they can enroll directly with EMSA for a $45 annual fee by calling 405-396-2888 or visiting emsacare.com.

People who live in retirement, assisted living and similar facilities are not eligible for the City program but may enroll in EMSAcare directly through EMSA by calling 405-396-2888 or by visiting emsacare.com.

Key program points include:

EMSAcare's promise to patients: Whether insurance covers a little, a lot or nothing at all for emergency medical services, EMSAcare covers what insurance doesn't for emergency transports ending at a hospital ER or Treatment-in-Place services.
How EMSAcare works: If insured, EMSA will request your insurance information to bill your provider. Then, EMSAcare will cover any additional remaining fees or out-of-pocket expenses like co-payments or deductibles. Every patient will receive a statement from EMSA after Medics provide Treatment-in-Place services or a patient is transported to the ER by an EMSA ambulance, typically notifying the patient of the amount EMSA will bill the insurance provider or request additional insurance information. If uninsured, EMSAcare will cover the costs for qualified emergency medical transports or Treatment-in-Place services.
Which transports are covered: All emergency transports and Treatment-in-Place services in EMSA's service area are fully covered regardless of where the medical emergency happens. The 911 call requesting EMSA does not have to originate from your home. EMSA's service area includes Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills, The Village and Tulsa. There is no limit to the number of transports or Treatment-in-Place services that are covered.
Program enrollment status: Current program participants will see their enrollment status noted as a medical services program fee on their OKC Utilities bill. For those who do not receive an OKC Utilities bill, such as residents of multi-housing units, the City ordinance requires property managers to notify residents in writing if the property is covered by the EMSAcare program. If you do not know if you are covered, contact your property manager or the Utilities Department at 405-297-2833.

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Media Contacts

Riley Howard – Riley will be available on Sept. 1 from 10 a.m. – noon at EMSA's Oklahoma City Headquarters, 6205 S. Sooner Road, for EMSAcare interviews.
Contact Riley at 918-849-1109; riley.howard@emsa.net

Kristy Yager
405-297-2550
kristy.yager@okc.gov