- What level of training do Valley EMS Personnel have?
- What does Valley EMS charge for an ambulance trip?
- Does Valley EMS accept medical insurance?
- I've heard that Valley EMS will only transport patients to Lanier Memorial. Is that true?
- What public education programs does Valley EMS conduct?
- What training instituitions is Valley EMS part of?
- Who governs EMS?
All except two employees are Paramedics and all have further status on their license. Paramedics are additionally trained as ambulance drivers, which is a separate designation from a stand-alone Paramedic. All Paramedics are fully credentialed for Advanced Life Support protocols that give them a certain amount of time-saving autonomy. In addition, they are designated as approved for transporting drugs, such as TPA and other clot busters;cardiac drips; and whole blood and blood products, which can only be taken between two healthcare facilities. Several Paramedic/RNs are employees at Valley EMS that work in the capacity of Paramedic. What does Valley EMS charge for an ambulance trip?
A typical chest pain call will be $425.00 plus $10.00 per mile. A trip to Lanier Memorial Hospital will typically be $455.00 with few or no complications. More serious runs will be $600.00 plus $10.00 per mile, typically $630.00. Speciality Care Transports, which require staff with training above that of an entry level paramedic, will be $700.00 plus $10.00 per mile. This can make a call to Birmingham accumulate a charge of $2,050.00 Does Valley EMS accept medical insurance?
Most major insurers, including Medicare;Medicaid;Blue Cross/Blue Shield; and others, pay for ambulance service. Most don't pay 100%. Valley EMS is a "Participating Provider" with Medicare that limits how much can be charged a patient with Medicare. Valley EMS accepts that amount with your co-pay/deductibles. I've heard that Valley EMS will only transport patients to Lanier Memorial. Is that true?
No, it is not true. Valley EMS does transport patients to Lanier Memorial on a daily basis; however, if the patient wishes to go to Opelika or LaGrange, Valley EMS honors that wish, as is their right. We discourage emergency transports any further than Opelika or LaGrange due to the unstable nature of those calls. In rare instances, based upon our medical or trauma assessment of the individual, we have to work with the individual or family member to reach an understanding that a particular hospital is too far away to try to reach in the patient's particular unstable condition at that point. Almost everyone understands that even when we have to go to Lanier to stabilize the patient, the patient still has the right to go where he wants after stabilization, as long as they do not sign out against medical advice. What public education programs does Valley EMS conduct?
- CPR classes (see online calendar)
- Automated external defibrilator classes (AED)
- First Aid
- Home Alone classes for children
- Older adult safety programs
- BTLS/ACLS/PALS Instructors available
- Paramedic Refresher available
Southern Union State Community College and Valley EMS have aligned as partners. Valley EMS uses Southern Union as their exclusive training site for initial EMS Level Courses. Valley EMS is an active clinical site for Southern Union EMS students, and yes, we love working with them. These students work and study hard. We are proud to be part of the Southern Union student's training process. Who governs EMS?
The Mayor and Council are the lawmakers for the EMS Department. An Advisory Committee, called the "Public Safety Committee", is chaired by Mr. Ray Edwards. Other members of the committee are Rodney Mitchum and Charlene Atkinson.
