TEANECK, N.J. — Teaneck’s volunteer ambulance corps is moving toward billing patients' insurance, a way to bring in badly needed money while securing its role as the township’s primary 911 ambulance provider for the next 10 years.

The Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps (TVAC) has already been serving that role. The proposed agreement would formalize the existing relationship on paper, giving the corps a written commitment from the township as it prepares to seek insurance reimbursements for its services.

Township council members had encouraged TVAC to pursue insurance billing for years, dating back to before the COVID-19 pandemic. The internal bylaw change and membership vote will give the volunteer organization a new source of funding.

According to internal documents shared with BC News Now, TVAC recently approved a motion called the “Regulatory and Compliance Act.” It authorizes preparations to become a licensed and certified provider eligible to seek insurance payments.

TVAC has long emphasized that its ambulance service is free. A 1995 township report said, “EMS Service is Free of Charge,” and the corps’ current fundraising materials say it “has never billed for its service.”

Insurance billing would change how TVAC brings in money. Instead of relying entirely on donations, grants and other funding, the organization would seek payment from health insurers for emergency medical services. The proposal says TVAC and any billing company working for it would be barred "to the fullest extent allowed by law" from pursuing patients for unpaid bills or sending their accounts to debt collectors.

The plan would rely on an applicable federal waiver or another lawful arrangement intended to cover Teaneck residents’ out-of-pocket costs. The documents do not establish that every possible patient expense would automatically be covered.

Billing cannot begin immediately just because the motion passed. At least 60% of members must approve a separate ratification by Oct. 31, 2027. The organization must also obtain a New Jersey Department of Health license to operate as an ambulance service, secure other necessary approvals, make any required equipment and ambulance upgrades and reach a formal agreement with the township.

The documents were sent to BC News Now in September by an anonymous TVAC member using the name “Cornelius Van Dyk,” the name of the man credited with founding TVAC in 1939. The decision to use the name of the corps’ founder while anonymously releasing an internal documents raises the possibility that the disclosure was intended to stir public anger toward TVAC, its leadership and its members. The sender’s identity and motives remain unconfirmed.

Upon the receipt of the internal documents, BC News Now reached out to TVAC President Daniel Senter and Chief Ezra Finkelstein on Sept. 30, giving them an opportunity to address the proposal. TVAC's Leadership did not deny that the move toward insurance reimbursement was being pursued but declined to provide further comments.

The proposal calls for financial oversight, board approval of billing vendors and annual reports tracking money collected, expenses and compliance. During the first three years, continuing the program would require annual approval by a majority of the board. After that, ending it would require two successive two-thirds votes by members.

In short, TVAC is seeking a way to bring in insurance money while putting its existing relationship with Teaneck into a formal 10-year agreement. Both the billing plan and the township deal still require further steps before they can take effect.