Billing Department

Medical Records 

Medical reports generated by MCFR are protected by federal HIPAA privacy laws. If you require a copy of a Medical Transport Report, Incident Report, or Billing Statement, contact 305-289-6010 with your name, the location, and the date of the incident. For a copy of your transportation report, you must complete a Medical Records Request and Release Affidavit (PDF). 

This can be done in person at Monroe County Fire Rescue Headquarters in Marathon but must be accompanied by a Driver’s License or other identification. You can also download the form (PDF) and send your medical records request along with notarized proof of identification to the billing department via US mail, encrypted email to billing@monroecounty-fl.gov or fax at 305-289-6013.

A signed affidavit showing that you are the personal representative of the patient or a power of attorney is needed if you are not the patient. There are no charges for records requests.

No Surprises Act

Starting Jan. 1, 2022, consumers will have new billing protections when getting emergency care, non-emergency care from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, and air ambulance services from out-of-network providers. Through new rules aimed to protect consumers, excessive out-of-pocket costs will be restricted, and emergency services must continue to be covered without any prior authorization, and regardless of whether or not a provider or facility is in-network.

Currently, if consumers have health coverage and get care from an out-of-network provider, their health plan usually won’t cover the entire out-of-network cost. This could leave them with higher costs than if they’d been seen by an in-network provider. This is especially common in an emergency situation, where consumers might not be able to choose the provider. Even if a consumer goes to an in-network hospital, they might get care from out-of-network providers at that facility.

In many cases, today the out-of-network provider can bill consumers for the difference between the charges the provider bills, and the amount paid by the consumer’s health plan. This is known as balance billing. An unexpected balance bill is called a surprise bill.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 was enacted in December 2020 and contains many provisions to help protect consumers from surprise bills starting in 2022, including the No Surprises Act under title I and Transparency under title II. Learn more about protections for consumers, understanding costs in advance to avoid surprise bills, and what happens when payment disagreements arise after receiving medical care.

Monroe County Fire Rescue (MCFR) bills in accordance with the No Surprises Act and Florida State Statutes.  The No Surprises Act and Florida Statutes 627.42397 and 641.514 apply to air ambulance billing, but do not affect ground ambulance billing practices.

MCFR’s patient notice form providing consumer information on the No Surprises Act and Florida air ambulance balance billing laws can be read and downloaded here:

• No Surprises Notice Form

Further information on the No Surprises Act may be found on the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website: www.cms.gov/nosurprises. 

The State of Florida also has air ambulance balance billing statutes in effect as of September 18, 2020. Visit www.leg.state.fl.us/ for more information on your rights under Florida State Law (Florida Statutes 627.42397 and 641.514).