Frequently-Asked Questions

1. How do I pay for the membership?
   If you already receive a City of Alhambra water bill, you may have the option to pay installments of $8 every two months simply by marking the Easy Payment box on the application. The bi-monthly charge still totals the annual membership fee of $48, and will remain on your bill until you notify the city to remove it. If you do not receive this statement (or if you choose to pay the membership separately), then you must pay the annual fee of $48 on a separate invoice.
    
2. What does the membership fee cover?
   The Alhambra Paramedic Subscription membership protects insured members from any out-of-pocket expenses related to paramedic treatment and emergency ambulance transportation for situations that occur in the City of Alhambra. If you have insurance, we will bill for the services rendered, but will accept whatever is paid as "payment in full" (i.e., if your insurance denies the entire bill or any part of it, you will not be responsible for the unpaid balance).
    
3. Do I get a member identification card once I join the Paramedic Subscription Program?
   No. Your Paramedic Subscription membership is confirmed by your home address, either at the location of the situation, or as your mailing address. We will confirm your membership in the billing office when we receive the paramedic report forms after the emergency.
    
4. Who do I call if I have a medical emergency?
   9-1-1 is always the number to call in an emergency.
    
5. Your brochure refers to "emergency paramedic or ambulance service within the City of Alhambra." Does that mean that you will only take me to a hospital in Alhambra?
   No. "Within Alhambra" refers to the service provided at the incident location, not the hospital destination. Paramedic Subscription membership allows emergency transportation to local area hospitals including those that are not within city boundaries. We frequently transport emergency patients to hospitals outside the City of Alhambra.
    
6. What happens if I'm not a Paramedic Subscription Program member and I use the paramedic service?
   Whether or not you are a Paramedic Subscription Program member, you will always receive the highest level of emergency treatment and transportation. However, as a non-Paramedic Subscription member, you will be billed for the services. You may give the bill to your insurance company but will be responsible for any unpaid balance. Keep in mind that there is no guarantee that your insurance will pay in full for the treatment you received.
    
7. Does the Paramedic Subscription Program cover all members in my household?
   Yes. Your Paramedic Subscription membership will cover emergency ambulance transportation by the Fire Department for all permanent member of your household who are injured or sick. The paramedics will note the address of the incident on their report, and the name of the patient treated and transported to the hospital; this will allow all members in your household to be covered by your membership.
    
8. Does the Paramedic Subscription Program cover all members of my household only at our home or anywhere within the City of Alhambra?
   The Paramedic Subscription Program covers you and all members of your household anywhere within the City of Alhambra.
    
9. Does the Paramedic Subscription Program cover transportation from my house to my doctor's office, or trips such as from a hospital to my home, or from a hospital to another hospital?
   No. Your Paramedic Subscription membership is for emergency transports only, from an Alhambra location to an emergency receiving hospital. The types of non-emergency transports such as those stated in the question can be provided by any ambulance company provider, but will not be covered by Paramedic Subscription membership.
    
10. Why do I need to join if I already have medical insurance?
    When the Alhambra Fire Department charges for treatment and transportation, there is no guarantee that your insurance company will cover the charges. The charges may be denied or only partially paid, or your deductible or cap limit may result in an unpaid balance for which you are responsible. As a Paramedic Subscription member with insurance, you don't have those worries since you are not responsible for any out-of-pocket costs. Also, keep in mind that the Paramedic Subscription membership covers all permanent family members of your residence who may not have the same insurance as you do and may need that extra financial protection in an unexpected emergency. Belonging to the Paramedic Subscription  Program gives you peace of mind in not having to worry whether your insurance will pay the medical bill. The $48 annual fee is only a fraction of most insurance companies' deductibles.
     
11. Why is my insurance plan billed?
    The Paramedic Subscription Program is not an insurance company - we are a provider of services. In order to provide the current level of emergency service to the community we must attempt to recover the costs associated with treatment and transportation. Through the monies collected by means of treatment and transportation charges, and membership fees, the current system of pre-hospital emergency services in our community is greatly enhanced beyond General Fund support. The monies collected from membership and insurance allow us to have a better emergency medical services system, and a healthier community.
     
12. If I decide not to join the Paramedic Subscription Program, what are the charges for paramedic and emergency ambulance service?
    The actual cost of paramedic treatment and ambulance transportation varies, but can range anywhere from $610.50 to $868.75. Our transportation charges coincide with the fees authorized by the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency, the Los Angeles County of Supervisors.
     
13. What if I belong to a paramedic membership program in another city?
    The Alhambra Fire Department does not have reciprocity with programs of other cities.
     
14. As an Alhambra business owner doing business in Alhambra, can I belong to the Paramedic Subscription Program to cover my employees?
    No, at this time the City of Alhambra does not have a mechanism in place to track employees of a business.