Show All Answers

1. When is my invoice due?

Your invoice is due 30 days from the date of the invoice. Please call the Town Accounts Receivable should you not be able to meet this deadline. There will be three reminder Accounts Receivable statements sent out after the initial invoice has been sent. The third notice is the final notice and may preclude that your account will go to collections - Small Claims Court. There is no interest charged on any overdue accounts unless the account receives a judgment from the courts.

2. What if I have cash flow problems?

Contact the Town Accounts Receivable to discuss your financial situation. In most cases a solution can be found that meets both of our requirements. Please remember though, you are obligated to pay the bill the same way the ambulance was obligated to take care of you even if someone else called on your behalf.

3. Why am I getting an ambulance invoice?

Alberta Health Care does not cover ambulance services. The cost of using the ambulance is your responsibility, except for in-patient hospital transfers which are then covered by the sending hospital. Prior to April 1, 2010 the Town of Cochrane’s municipally-operated ambulance service was a user-pay system so that the costs would not be the sole responsibility of Cochrane taxpayers. A listing of the charges/rates set by Council was sent with your invoice. After April 1, 2010, even though the province took over the service, an invoice will still be issued by Alberta Health Services.

4. How do I pay my Town of Cochrane ambulance invoice?

Payment can be made in person, by mail or over the phone. Your payment is to be made out to the Town of Cochrane and can be cash, debit card, cheque, money order, VISA or MasterCard. Payment can also be made online under our E-Government services section by credit card (VISA or MasterCard). A user ID and password are required for this online service to ensure security of the information.

5. How do I pay my Alberta Health Services ambulance invoice?

Please follow all instructions on your invoice. Payment must be made directly to Alberta Health Services.

6. What if I have private medical insurance?

If you have private medical insurance coverage, check with your benefits provider to determine how to process your claim and to see whether there is a deductible amount for which you are responsible.

7. I have Alberta Blue Cross - What do I do and how long will it take?

The Town of Cochrane signed an agreement with Alberta Blue Cross effective January 1, 2006. For anyone who utilizes Cochrane Ambulance Service and has Alberta Blue Cross coverage, the Town can direct bill to Alberta Blue Cross for any of the eligible services provided. This applies to all Blue Cross subscribers including individual and employer group plan members, as well as, those who are covered through a government program sponsored by either Alberta Health and Wellness (eg: coverage for Seniors, non-group coverage), Alberta Human Resources and Employment, Alberta Seniors and Community Supports (eg: AISH) or Alberta Children's Services (Child Health Care package). All these government programs are administered by Blue Cross with Blue Cross rates applying in all instances.

In order for this arrangement of direct billing to work smoothly, all clients with Alberta Blue Cross coverage must present their Alberta Health Care insurance card and Blue Cross card at the time the service is provided. If we do not receive the required information at that time - or if your plan does not cover the total cost of the ambulance service - we will issue a bill. If you are a Blue Cross subscriber and receive a bill for the full service, please contact our office as soon as you can so that we may review the situation and, if possible, send in the claim directly to Blue Cross. There is a provided time period of one year from the date of service to make a claim to Blue Cross. Whether you are on a government program or a private group or have an individual plan the same basic information is required: your full name, correct mailing address, your date of birth, Alberta Health Care identification number, Alberta Blue Cross group number, class and/or section number and your identification number.