Services and Membership Information

Emergency (911 dispatched) Services:


Basic Life Support (BLS) Ambulance: This level of care is for patients who are experiencing a medical emergency, illness or injury that is not life-threatening. Care is administered by an EMT. Services are usually covered by most insurance carriers.

Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulance: This level of care is for patients who are experiencing a potentially life-threatening illness or injury. Care may require intravenous therapy, cardiac monitoring and drug therapy. Care is administered by a Paramedic. Services are usually covered by most insurance carriers.

Information given at the time of the phone call to 911
determines which level of care is dispatched.

 

Description of Non-Emergency Services: 


BLS Transport: This type of service is for patients who may need basic medical care during the transport. Insurance coverage may be available if a Physician’s Medical Necessity Certification signed by a physician is provided at the time of transport. Both subscribers and non-subscribers are responsible for paying the cost of a BLS transport that is not paid by insurance.

ALS Transport: This service is for patients who may require advanced care to or from appointments and the hospital. Insurance coverage may be available.

Bariatric Transport: This service is available for the obese patient who does not fit safely on standard equipment. It is available for both emergency and non-emergency services. Insurance coverage may be available.

Wheelchair Van: This is for patients who are able to sit in a wheelchair. A wheelchair is available from NWEMS, or the patient’s personal wheelchair can be used. This service is not covered by insurance. Subscribers receive free wheelchair transport mileage up to 25 miles each way.

 
Phone the NWEMS office, 361-8220, to schedule a non-emergency transport.

 

Incident Reporting for Patients or Employees


Our reputation for quality service and excellent care has been achieved by the personal integrity, good judgment and common sense of our staff. All staff and management are expected to demonstrate appropriate ethical standards in dealing with patients and their families, fellow staff members, suppliers, consultants, and the communities we serve.

In order to provide you with an anonymous and confidential method to report unethical or inappropriate actions, we have selected Ethical Advocate to assist with any concerns you have regarding Northwest EMS.

Northwest EMS staff members should make their best efforts to resolve a particular issue through our administrative process and/or supervisory management when possible.

Incident reporters are completely anonymous and reports submitted via Ethical Advocate are confidential. No retaliatory action will be tolerated against anyone for reporting or inquiring in good faith about a potential breach in policy, or against anyone seeking assistance with the process used to report a suspected breach in policy.

CLICK HERE if you would like to go to the anonymous and confidential incident reporting website hosted by Ethical Advocate. Or, you can call Ethical Advocate at 855-331-1612.

Download Form


Download Subscription Form

Membership Questions


  • Q: Why should I subscribe?

    A: Your subscription provides you and your family with unlimited access to our emergency services – 24 hours a day – 7 days a week! In addition, your paid subscription can save you hundreds of dollars in the event that you ever need to use our emergency services!

    All subscription fees collected will be used to offset the rising costs of our state-of-the-art ambulances, medical equipment and training. Subscription payments are tax deductible!

  • I have health insurance or Medicare, should I subscribe?

    A: Please note that most health insurance plans will not cover 100% of ambulance service fees. This often results in your having to pay unpaid balances, co-payments, deductibles and other non-covered fees. As a subscriber, you will not be responsible for any unnecessary fees or balances, except as required by law or regulation.

    Non-subscribers are billed and often are responsible to pay hundreds of dollars to cover fees that are not paid by their insurance company.

  • Will you bill my insurance company if I need emergency ambulance service?

    A: Yes, we will do all of the work for you! If you need to use our emergency ambulance service, we will bill your insurance company or Medicare. Once we receive payment from any available insurance source, or when there is no billable insurance or coverage, subscribers are not billed or responsible for any unpaid balances, except as required by law or regulation.

  • Does my subscription cover wheelchair van and invalid coach transports?

    A: As described on the Services page, NWEMS membership subscriptions:

    1. Include free mileage on wheelchair transports (up to 25 miles each way).
    2. Include BLS transport.
    3. Do not include invalid coach transport.

  • Why did I receive a bill for transport to a doctor’s office?

    A: According to Medicare and all other insurance carriers, ambulance transport to and from a doctor or other health care professional usually is not medically necessary. This judgment by Medicare is not influenced by the patient’s condition. You may request to be transported by ambulance or invalid coach, but because this is a non-covered service, members will be billed for the cost.

  • How much does the membership cost?

    A: For a single person, cost is $45. A couple (2 people) is $55, a family (entire household) is $65. Names do need to be listed to ensure proper credit during billing.