In the event of a medical emergency, every second counts. Given the Tri-Community’s rural location, with the nearest medical facilities situated over 20 miles away, it’s crucial to have a plan in place to ensure that you and your family can get the medical attention they need as quickly as possible. Therefore, it is important to take into account the costs associated with Emergency Medical Services (EMS). To ensure you have adequate coverage, consider the following recommendations:
Health insurance coverage for emergency transport varies widely, with some policies covering only a portion of the costs and others requiring high deductibles. It is recommended that you review your current insurance plan to determine whether ground or air ambulance services are included. For those without sufficient coverage, supplemental emergency medical services (EMS) insurance plans are available.
Ground Ambulance Services
Tri-Community residents may be eligible for ground ambulance service through the Community Ambulance Membership Plan offered by the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District. For an annual fee of $65 per household, the plan covers emergency ground transportation in communities such as Lake Arrowhead, Lucerne Valley, Piñon Hills, Phelan, Wrightwood, Hesperia and more.
Enrollment requires contacting the Fire Department’s Division 5 in Hesperia, where residents can request a membership application by phone at (760) 243-8595. The application will be mailed to the resident, then once completed and returned with payment, members will receive a card indicating their coverage.
In an emergency, residents with the plan can call 911 and be transported to the nearest hospital without facing standard ambulance fees. The plan does not include non-emergency transportation.
Air Ambulance Services
Another local provider, AirMedCare Network (AMCN), offers air ambulance services through its REACH base located at the Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville. The company operates under Global Medical Response and serves residents across the High Desert region and the I-15 corridor.
AMCN provides membership options that can help reduce the financial burden of air transport for critically ill or injured patients. More information on their coverage and pricing can be found at amcnrep.com.
There are plenty of other EMS insurance providers that operate nationally, offering a range of membership plans and geographic coverage. It is recommended to compare quotes and services in order to find a plan suited to individual medical needs and locations.
