San Juan Island EMS

BILLING:

WHERE DO I SEND MY PAYMENT?

We have a billing service, based in Montana, to take care of all our billing needs. Please direct questions about your bill to Health Care Billing at 888-850-4574 or by email to billing@sanjuanems.org.

I RECEIVED A BILL, (BUT I THOUGHT RESIDENTS DON’T HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR YOUR SERVICES?):

There are no out-of-pocket costs for San Juan Island Residents for our ground ambulance service.  You already pay for the service through property taxes.  However, there are a few times when you might receive a bill.

1.It is not a bill, but an inquiry for insurance information, that looks like a bill. Be sure to check the reason for the correspondence.

2.You received a bill for another ambulance company, when you were transported off island and another ambulance company picked you up.

3.You did not give a local address when you were transported and the billing company thinks you are not a local resident.

4.Even though you are a local resident, you may still get a bill for the fixed wing (small airplane) transport up to $1,000 if you do not have insurance or your insurance doesn’t pay for a fixed wing transport. This is the only out-of-pocket charge that SJI EMS passes on to its residents, due to the high cost of this service. Payment plans are available on request.

5.If you still have questions, please call the billing company at 888 850-4574.

HOW CAN YOU PROVIDE YOUR SERVICE IF YOU DON’T COLLECT ANY FEES?

We collect fees from your insurance company and receive property tax through a six year tax levy. We do not collect if your insurance company doesn’t pay or you don’t have insurance if you are a district resident.

OFF ISLAND TRANSPORTS:

WHY DID THEY FLY ME OFF ISLAND IN AN AIRLIFT NORTHWEST HELICOPTER?

The paramedic and physician thought that you were either definitely or potentially critical enough to warrant the ride. We are a long way from a definitive care facility and to err on the side of safety is the norm.  Since we have no hospital here on the island, you needed to get to the mainland for care.

I HAVE THAT AIRLIFT NORTHWEST (ALNW) MEMBERSHIP, SO WHY DID THEY SEND ME FIXED WING or on the SHERIFF’S BOAT?

Transport decisions are made by the paramedic and the physician at the time of your emergency. The helicopter is only for ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT (ALS)  CRITICAL, LIFE or LIMB THREATENING emergencies. You cannot choose to go by helicopter. This transport method has some risk to you and the helicopter crew and will only be used if the need is great enough.  If you are not critical,  you may be sent either fixed wing or by ambulance on the ferry. The sheriff’s boat and ALS fixed wing service is only used if there is no other way to get a patient off island, either there is inclement weather or the wait for ALNW is too long.

HOW CAN I GET A FIXED WING FLIGHT or CHARTER A FLIGHT?

Only a paramedic or physician can order a fixed wing ambulance flight. However, if your doctor has released you and says that you are stable, you can charter a flight at:

Island Air, Inc.
www.sanjuan-islandair.com
Office 360-378-2376

Westwind Aviation, Inc.
www.westwindav.com
Office 360-378-6991

Kenmore Airlines
www.kenmoreair.com
Office (877) 359-5366

San Juan Airlines
www.sanjuanairlines.com
Office (800) 874-4434

GENERAL QUESTIONS

HOW CAN I BECOME an EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (EMT)?

We only train EMTs for our agency. About every two to three years we conduct a class.  If you are interested in joining our agency, check back to see if we are putting on a new class.  This training is not for the squeamish, nor is it taken lightly. It is a HUGE time and energy commitment.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PARAMEDIC AND EMT?

EMTs and paramedics are emergency professionals who have different levels of training and capability. EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) are trained to take care of Basic Life Support (BLS) patients. This includes oxygen administration, splinting, emergency childbirth, CPR, AED defibrillation, and much more.  Paramedics are trained to handle BLS and Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergencies.  Their skills include endotracheal intubation (breathing tubes), IVs, medication administration, simple surgical procedures that restore airway, breathing, and circulation, advanced EKG interpretation and more. EMTs and Paramedics worth together as a team to bring the best care to you in an emergency.

HOW MANY EMTs RESPOND TO MY EMERGENCY?

We realize that it is overwhelming to have a room full of strangers descend on you. Be aware that the EMTs here are volunteers and when their pagers go off, they respond from all over the island at any time of the day or night.  Even if your emergency sounds minor, many EMTs may still show up. This is due to the fact that sometimes an EMS call can sound minor over the radio, but in fact may be very serious.   This happens more than you would think. We are lucky indeed where in a world where volunteerism is declining, we have enough community members who are willing to train, and continue to train regularly, to respond to your emergency.

HOW DO I SEND A NOTE, CONTRIBUTION OR DONATION TO the EMTs?

You can send correspondence or tax deductible donations to the EMT Association. This Association takes in money to help,  support and show appreciation to our EMTs.  The Association often is the recipient of donations when someone passes.