Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I send donations?

Donations may be sent to:
New Windsor Ambulance
PO BOX 4334
New Windsor, NY 12553

What are donations used for?

Donations are used for the purchase of new medical equipment. Last year, donations helped to purchase six new defibrillators. This year, NWVAC's goal is to raise the $20,000 needed to purchase state-of-the-art machines that can read the level of carbon monoxide in a person's blood. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly if not detected.

What do I do if I need an ambulance?

Remain calm. Dial 911 or call NWVAC's dispatch center at 845-565-3320. Speak slowly and calmly to the dispatcher. In addition, please make sure all pets are secure and that your house number is visible.

Does NWVAC provide non-emergency transports to or from the hospital?

Transports are determined on a case by case basis. If you need a transport, please call NWVAC's dispatch center at 845-565-3320 and describe your situation to the dispatcher. Your call will be returned promptly.

Where can I attend a CPR or First Aid class?

Email the Assistant Chief with all requests for classes.

Why does it cost so much for an ambulance ride?

Having a significant amount of highly trained staff, (career and volunteer) vehicles and equipment are dedicated to our community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to answer emergency 9-1-1 calls. The high cost involved in staffing, training and equipping these systems is paid for through a combination user fees that are billed to those who actually use the service and an ambulance tax district.

The fees are regulated and maintained at usual and customary rates. New Windsor Volunteer Ambulance maintains direct billing with nearly all-major insurance carriers, including Medicare and accepts assignment with New York State Medicaid.

All communities have paramedics in our area, don't they?

No, they do not. Of the 26 ambulance agencies in Orange County, only 2 have the capability of providing advanced life support. This does not include the commercial EMS agencies.

What is needed?

Our EMS crews will, depending on the care you need, ask you to sign Release Authorization. This authorization can be signed by either the patient or a responsible party (parent, Power of Attorney, etc.).

In some cases, a physician's certification statement signed by the doctor that ordered the transport or that saw the patient in the emergency room maybe required. This is complete after your care or release from a hospital.

I have HMO, Medicare or Medicaid insurance, can you bill them directly?

We do submit claims to various insurance companies. There are many steps to this process, which if not handled immediately will result in a delay of receiving your payment. We need to have a signed authorization release. Once we have this information, your claim will be submitted manually or electronically.

I was in a car accident - how is that billed?

If you were transported as a result of a motor vehicle crash, your medical expenses are covered under the No-Fault portion of your vehicle's insurance. New York Law requires that the claim be submitted to the insurance carrier within 45 days of the accident.

I was injured on the job and I received a bill, why is that?

Please ask your employer to contact our billing vendor immediately regarding this. We need to have your workers compensation carrier information.

I received a bill for a "Paramedic Intercept", will my insurance cover this?

New Windsor Volunteer Ambulance also provides "flycar" services to surrounding volunteer services. This service is not just limited to the Town of New Windsor. Typical reasons for this vehicle to respond include providing a higher level of care than what might be available at that particular time (the vehicle is staffed with a Paramedic).

Not all volunteer ambulance services have advanced life support services. Depending on the type of call, we are required to have an advanced life support EMT respond and evaluate the patient to see if there is a need for advanced life support. EMS agencies are required by state and local protocol to have ALS respond to certain type of calls.

If you received a bill from New Windsor Volunteer Ambulance for this service, we were requested by the transporting ambulance service or the Orange County 911 center.

In many cases, insurance companies do not cover "Intercept" charges. If you have a question about an assist charge, your first phone call should be to your insurance company to see if they cover it. If they do cover it and you need assistance in submitting it, please contact our billing vendor's office at 845-615-3333.

I received a check from my insurance company; what do I do?

Many insurance companies send the reimbursement check directly to the patient. If you should receive a check, please sign the backside of the check and forwarded it to New Windsor Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Addresses for sending checks or other information:
New Windsor Ambulance
PO Box 4334
New Windsor, NY 12553

Email us at billing@newwindsorems.org.

I am a Town of New Windsor resident; why am I being billed?

In most cases, uninsured New Windsor residents are not responsible for co-payments or bills. Residents must comply with all NWVAC information requests and standard billing practices. If you have questions about a bill you have received, please email us at billing@newwindsorems.org. Instances of insurance fraud or failure to comply with information requests will result in the resident's balance being forwarded to a collections service.