ICMESA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is ICMESA?
The Indiana County Municipal Emergency Services Authority (ICMESA) is a countywide authority formed by participating municipalities to help stabilize and strengthen emergency medical services. Its role is to coordinate funding and support for EMS readiness so emergency services remain available when residents need them.
Why is there an EMS fee?
Emergency medical services face rising costs, staffing shortages, and insufficient reimbursement from insurance alone. The EMS fee provides a stable, predictable funding source to support readiness, response capability, and system coordination across participating municipalities.
When will billing happen?
Initial billing is scheduled to begin in March 2026. Bills will be issued once per year in spring.
Who will receive a bill?
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Property owners will receive a bill based on the number of housing units on a property.
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Employers will receive a bill based on an employee-based calculation.
Billing is handled directly by Berkheimer, ICMESA’s contracted fee collection agent.
How much is the fee?
The annual fee will be billed by Berkheimer, based on the applicable category below.
Residential Properties
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$75.00 per residential unit (house, apartment, condominium, or similar dwelling)
Commercial Properties
Commercial fees are based on the number of full-time equivalent employees (FTEs):
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$150.00 for 1 to 9 FTEs
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$250.00 for 10 to 99 FTEs
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$500.00 for 100 or more FTEs
Commercial fees are assessed to the employer to support EMS readiness for emergency responses at workplaces, regardless of where employees or customers live.
What does the EMS fee cover?
The EMS fee helps fund emergency response readiness and reduces the portion of emergency response costs not covered by insurance.
The fee does not cover:
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Lift assists
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Non-emergency medical transportation
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Interfacility medical transfers
Some residents may still choose to maintain a separate membership with their preferred EMS provider for additional services.
How does this affect ambulance bills?
For emergency responses, residents and businesses will receive a 50% reduction on the portion of charges not covered by insurance. This helps limit out-of-pocket costs associated with emergency EMS responses.
What happens if I do not pay on time?
Late payments may result in reminder notices and additional charges. Nonpayment does not automatically result in tax delinquency proceedings.
Is my personal or tax information secure?
Yes. Limited information is shared with Berkheimer solely for billing purposes. Berkheimer is contractually required to protect data security and confidentiality, and ICMESA prioritizes accountability and transparency in all data handling.
Who do I contact with questions?
Residents may:
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Visit www.ICMESAPA.gov for more information, or
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Contact their municipal office, which can direct inquiries to the municipality’s designated ICMESA representative
Billing-specific questions should be directed to Berkheimer, using the contact information provided on the bill.