Dear Red Phone,
“I am a very concerned citizen, as I have COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and need an ambulance from time to time. I was surprised to find out that I have to pay a large ambulance bill as the new ambulance company in Santa Clara County does not accept any insurance Companies other than Medicare and Medicaid. I pay over $800.00 a month for my insurance and I find this very discriminating that they take only government insurance.”
Below is a response to this concern from Michael Petrie, the County’s Director of Emergency Medical Services:
“Rural/Metro accepts most major public and private insurance plans, including Medicare, Medi-Cal, Kaiser, Blue Shield, Blue Cross, Cigna, United Health Plan, and SCAN, and others. The rates charged by Rural/Metro are regulated by the County, and are comparable to the rates charged in other bay area counties. The rates were set by the Board of Supervisors, effective July 1, 2011, when Rural/Metro began providing ambulance service. The EMS Agency granted Rural/Metro a cost of living adjustment of 3.5 percent, effective July 1, 2012.
During Rural/Metro’s period of service, I have received surprisingly few complaints or questions regarding Rural/Metro’s billing practices and processes, and I have received no complaints regarding the insurance coverage that they accept. Rural/Metro appears to have effective billing services.”
