- As a resident or business establishment, how do I enroll in the voluntary “Fire Medical” Program?
Answer: You can sign up several different ways, you can go to lomalindafire.com and fill out the online application, or you can email [email protected] or call 909-799-2852. A bill will be sent to your registered address once you sign up or you will have the option of paying online.
- I enrolled in last year’s “Fire Medical” program do I need to enroll again?
Answer: No, once you enroll in the program, you will remain in the program as long as you continue to pay the annual fee.
- I just moved to the City and would like to join “Fire Medical”. When can I enroll?
Answer: Enrollment is possible at any time throughout the year.
- If I decide not to join the “Fire Medical” Program, what is the charge when I call 911 and utilize Emergency Medical Services?
Answer: Residents will be charged $375 per response and non-residents will be charged $500 per response.
- I have coverage through Medi-Cal or the Medical Services for the Indigent (MSI) Program. Do I need to subscribe to “Fire Medical”?
Answer: Yes, payment from either of these entities is accepted for any services provided by the City of Loma Linda Fire Department. You will be responsible for any unpaid balance. You may want to consider subscription if you have Medi-Cal or MSI as these services typically only cover a portion of fees charged, however, that decision is entirely up to you because this is a voluntary program.
- Can I enroll if I live outside the City of Loma Linda?
Answer: Yes, but you will only be covered for Emergency Medical Services occurring while you are within Loma Linda City Limits. It will not cover you or your family members or guests when you are at home outside the City of Loma Linda.
- If I do not enroll in “Fire Medical”, will my insurance cover the charges for Emergency Medical Services provided by City of Loma Linda Fire Department?
Answer: Insurance coverage varies. You should check with your employer or insurance company. If you enroll in “Fire Medical”, subscription provides coverage for any charges denied by your insurance company, any deductibles that have not been met, any co-pays that may apply, etc. Anyone who lives at your address is covered anywhere within Loma Linda City limits. Guests, visitors, at your home are covered should they require Emergency Medical Services while at your home. Just as we would do for you!
- I live in an unincorporated County area bordered by the City of Loma Linda. Will I be charged if the City of Loma Linda Fire Department responds to my house to provide Emergency Medical Services? Should I subscribe to the program?
Answer: Yes you will be charged for Emergency Medical Services provided by the Loma Linda Fire Department if you are not enrolled in the "Fire medical" program. It is recommended to enroll in the "Fire Medical" program to mitigate fees associated with Emergency Medical Services rendered by the Loma Linda Fire Department.
- Does “Fire Medical” pay for transportation by a private ambulance company?
Answer: No, Loma Linda Fire Department does not provide transportation from an emergency incident; you will receive a separate bill for services from a private ambulance company associated with the medical emergency.
- If I am enrolled in “Fire Medical” will I be covered if I call a private ambulance company to provide transport to the hospital or some other location? (like a doctor’s office, dialysis or radiology appointment, etc.)?
Answer: No. Your subscription only covers 9-1-1 generated emergency responses by the City of Loma Linda Fire Department.
- If the paramedics have to respond to my home or business on multiple occasions, will all of the responses and treatment be covered?
Answer: Yes, there is no limit. As long as you are a paid member of “Fire Medical”, you are covered for any balance remaining after payment is received from your insurance company.
- If I subscribe, does my insurance company still get billed?
Answer: Yes, we will always bill the patient’s insurance company. This subscription program is NOT an insurance program. It simply guarantees that you won’t be responsible for any charges not covered by your insurance company. It protects you from any out of pocket expenses related to Emergency medical Services provided by the City of Loma Linda Fire Department.
- Am I only covered at my home?
Answer: Once enrolled, you and any other residents living at the enrolled address are covered anywhere within Loma Linda City limits.
- I want to add a name to my “Fire Medical” Program subscription. How do I accomplish this?
Answer: The program is address driven. Paramedics note the address of the emergency as well as the mailing address for every patient. Both addresses are checked against the database. There is no need to list the residents living at your address by name in order for them to be covered.
- As a business owner, how do I enroll in the program?
Answer: Coverage applies to any address enrolled in the program, whether it is a private home or a business. As a business owner you can cover your employees for any 9-1-1 Emergency Medical Service that may occur on your property. As with any medical emergency, the inpidual’s insurance company will be billed, but any unpaid balance will be written off, leaving them with no out-of-pocket expenses for Emergency Medical Services provided by City of Loma Linda Fire Department at that address.
- I am a member of “Fire Medical” and I received a bill for Emergency Medical Services, what should I do?
Answer: Although we strive for perfection, occasionally something slips through. As a member of “Fire Medical”, if you ever receive a bill showing a balance owed and you are a paid “Fire Medical” member and enrolled prior to the call for Emergency Medical Service, simply call Fire Department Headquarters at 909-799-2852. We can quickly correct the problem by checking the data base to verify current paid subscription. We will notify the billing company of any mistakes and have the problem corrected with one phone call.
- Will the fire department respond if I am not a member of the “Fire Medical” program?
Answer: Loma Linda Fire Department responds to all 9-1-1 calls regardless of subscription in the program or ability to pay. Everyone receives the same high level of quality care and treatment.
- I received a letter or document from my Insurance Company showing that they were billed for service provided by the City of Loma Linda Fire Department. Why do I have to pay a bill?
Answer: When an insurance company receives a claim from a service provider, they generate a document for the insured inpidual called an “Explanation of Benefits” or “EOB.” This document provides the insured inpidual with relevant information about the claim that was received. The document also shows what charges were allowed (or covered) which charges were not allowed any deductibles or co-pays, etc. Any remaining balance that the patient is responsible for is also indicated. An EOB is not a bill or an invoice. It will indicate “This is not a bill” somewhere on the document. It is strictly informational. Sometimes an EOB is confused with a bill or invoice. If you are a member, even though the EOB shows that you are responsible for some of the charges, you will not receive a bill from the City of Loma Linda. That is the amount that will be written off by the City.
- What happens if I am not a member and I use 9-1-1 for Emergency Medical Services?
Answer: Whether or not you are a member, you will always receive the same high level of emergency treatment and transportation. We will bill the insurance company for members and non-members alike. Insurance coverage varies significantly. As a non-member, should your insurance company deny any portion of the claim or determine that you are still responsible for your annual deductible or a co-pay, you will be responsible for any remaining balance. Depending on the type and level of insurance coverage you carry, there may or may not be a balance due after your insurance company has submitted its payment. For specifics regarding your coverage, you should speak with your employer or insurance company.
- What if I belong to an Emergency Medical program in another city?
Answer: The City of Loma Linda “Fire Medical” Program does not have reciprocity with similar programs in other cities.
- Does this program cover any other fire department charges?
Answer: No. This program only covers charges for Emergency Medical Services. Loma Linda Fire Department does not routinely charge for responses to fires or other non-medical emergencies. The Fire Department does pursue cost recovery in cases of arson or other illegal situations.