FAQs
Based on your feedback and our experience we have developed a list of Frequently Asked Questions. Please click on one of the links below for answers to our most commonly asked questions.
All charges associated with our service are included in our base rate – paramedic and nurses fees, supplies including bandages and IV supplies, any treatment required by the patient’s condition and all medications including painkillers, tranquilizers, heart medications and breathing treatments. In addition, we charge a reasonable per-mile rate and an oxygen fee for patients who require it.
Although ambulance and helicopter services are costly, REMSA/Care Flight’s Fees – which are regulated by the Washoe County District Board of Health – allow us to provide national caliber advanced life support care to this region with NO tax subsidies. As a private, non-profit organization REMSA provides a wide range of emergency medical services, as well as the most advanced care and technology on our paramedic or nurse staffed ambulances and helicopters. We take the health and safety of our region very seriously and constantly strive to make sure we can provide the most advanced life-saving care to people when they need it, wherever they need it.
The result is that the Reno/Sparks/Washoe County area continues to have a ground and air ambulance service that is nationally recognized for its quality, responsiveness, and outstanding patient care. Both of which are self-supporting without any subsidies from taxpayers or local governments.
Although we will bill your insurance company directly, we cannot unfortunately, bill a third party for our services on your behalf as it can sometimes take up to a year or more to secure payment.
By paying your bill in a timely manner, the Reno/Sparks/Washoe County area continues to have a ground and air ambulance service that is nationally recognized for its quality, responsiveness, and outstanding patient care. Both of which are self-supporting without any subsidies from taxpayers or local governments.
When we transport multiple patients, each account is discounted down to the rate charged when multiple patients are transported simultaneously. The mileage charge is split evenly between the patients transported.
Although ambulance and helicopter services are costly, REMSA/Care Flight’s Fees – which are regulated by the Washoe County District Board of Health – allow us to provide national caliber advanced life support care to this region with NO tax subsidies. As a private, non-profit organization, REMSA provides a wide range of emergency medical services, as well as the most advanced care and technology on our paramedic or nurse staffed ambulances and helicopters. We take the health and safety of our region very seriously and constantly strive to make sure we can provide the most advanced life-saving care to people when they need it, wherever they need it.
The result is that the Reno/Sparks/Washoe County area continues to have a ground and air ambulance service that is nationally recognized for its quality, responsiveness, and outstanding patient care. Both of which are self-supporting without any subsidies from taxpayers or local governments.
It is our office policy to send patient’s bills no later than five days following transport. This insures that the accounts are paid quickly and allows us to continue to provide excellent service to our community.
We are aware that backboards are not comfortable devices. Unfortunately, this is the only mechanism that we can use to adequately immobilize the spine prior to x-rays or a physician’s evaluation.
As explained in your Silver Saver application, the program is designed to allow REMSA to bill a patient’s insurance company and/or Medicare for any benefits available for medically necessary ambulance trips. Then, Silver Saver protects you against the costs that your health insurance does not cover by waiving deductibles or co-payments in the case of trips that ARE medically necessary, and by giving you a 20% discount off your bill if the trip is determined to be NOT medically necessary.
If you feel that you have received a bill in error, please contact our billing office at (775) 858-5700. Please have your bill and Silver Saver membership card ready when you call.
The annual Silver Saver membership drive takes place from the beginning of October through the end of December each year. It is available only to legal residents of REMSA's primary service area, which includes all of Washoe County, Nevada, excluding Gerlach, Nevada and the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District. Membership does not cover the services of Care Flight or Med Express Transport. If you are interested in joining or wish more information about the Silver Saver Program, please click here or call (775)858-5757.
Communicating with both the patient and their family members is very important to us. Unfortunately, the job of communicating with the patient’s family can often be overlooked. When caring for unstable patients, our crews frequently focus all their attention on the care of the patient. If our crew failed to keep you informed, please understand that this was to ensure that the patient received the best care and attention possible.
We’re glad that you thought our crew great. REMSA was created in 1986 to improve the responsiveness of emergency medical services within the Truckee Meadows. Although you may see the fire department respond with our ambulances and we do transport to all of the area hospitals, REMSA is a separate organization.
If you wish to comment about one of the other agencies or hospitals, we have provided links to their websites for your convenience below or you may complete our feedback form and we’ll pass your comments along to the appropriate agency or facility.
Reno Fire Department Sparks Fire DepartmentRenown Regional and Renown South Meadows Medical Centers Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center Northern Nevada Medical Center
REMSA is required to respond within eight minutes and 29 seconds, at least 90 percent of the time in life threatening emergencies. REMSA consistently surpasses these goals.
Additional Questions and Comments
Do you have additional questions or comments? Click here and complete our feedback form.
