City Hopes More People Will Sign Up For Paramedic Subscription Program

In an effort to help residents with the high cost of ambulance transportation when they are injured or seriously ill, the City is offering a Paramedic Subscription Program.

For just $89 a year, subscribers receive unlimited access to Pasadena Fire’s emergency medical system for Pasadena residents and those in their households.

The subscription covers both insured and uninsured residents.

It could help save local residents from large bills.

According to KABC news, one Pasadena mother was left with a $3,300 bill after she called an ambulance for her injured child.

Courtney Weil’s daughter was rushed to a hospital after she was injured at Singer Park in Pasadena, according to an article on the station’s website.

Weil’s insurance did not cover the cost of the ambulance ride from Singer Park to USC, which is slightly less than 10 miles away. Her insurance has agreed to pay $559.

The subscription plan would have covered the remainder. 

Weil’s daughter was taken to USC instead of Huntington Hospital in accordance with County policy because USC is the closest, most appropriate pediatric trauma center and Huntington is a level II trauma center for adults.  

The City’s Fire Chief Chad Augustin said so far just 10 to 15 people a month have registered for the City’s subscription plan so far.

“This person had insurance with a high dollar deductible,” Augustin told Pasadena Now. “In general, this means that the insurance will not pay out until a deductible is met. “ 

The City’s fire department is a government agency and accepts all forms of insurance. 

According to Augustin, “paramedic services and ambulance transport are not considered part of basic fire services for our residents.  In Pasadena, we believe it is vitally important to have highly trained Paramedics on all fire units.”

“In this resident’s case, we had multiple highly trained Paramedics onscene to treat and transport her child.  We believe we played a vital role in the overall treatment to her child.”

“Whether it is a private ambulance or a fire department ambulance, a bill will be incurred for ambulance transport.  In Pasadena, we are extremely proud to offer very highly trained Paramedics on both our fire engines and ambulances.  Prop 26 does not allow a fire department to make a profit.  We do have a fiscal responsibility to attempt to recoup the costs of providing ambulance services.”

According to a statement released by the City on Monday, “When there is a demonstrated financial hardship, the City of Pasadena remains committed to collaborate with community members to evaluate all options to assist with payment of fees. This includes establishing smaller monthly payment plans in an attempt to prevent the collections process. The City also has a fee waiver process for residents who do not have the means to pay their bill. Any member of the community in the need of a financial hardship exception, should contact the Pasadena Fire Department EMS Division 626-744-4652.”

Furthermore, residents who have not previously joined the program cannot retroactively join to cover prior costs.

To sign up for Pasadena’s, visit bit.ly/PasadenaParamedicService.