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New ‘Neighbors for Life’ Program Promises to Dramatically Cut Emergency Medical Expenses for Ada County Residents

(Boise, ID) – Today, Ada County Paramedics, and the Board of Ada County Commissioners, proudly launched the new Neighbors for Life membership program designed to help Ada County residents save money on their emergency medical expenses.

During the last fiscal year, 18,016 people in Ada County called 9-1-1 because of a medical emergency. Ada County Paramedics transported approximately 62% of the 18,670 documented patients to local emergency rooms. (Note: events such as car collisions and fights often involve multiple patients.

“This is a program that I believe all Ada County residents should consider participating in,” said Ada County Paramedics Director Troy Hagen. “Neighbors for Life is a simple, innovative and practical approach to ensuring the cost of emergency medical services provided by Ada County Paramedics doesn’t become an unnecessary burden on our patients. Anyone who chooses to become a member will have peace of mind knowing our emergency response will never cost more than $100. In fact, in most cases the emergency services provided won’t cost the patient one dime.”

Neighbors for Life is similar to other programs offered by emergency medical organizations around the country. Ada County’s program is modeled after a highly successful program that has been in operation in the communities of Eugene and Springfield, Oregon, since the 1980s.

Did You Know?

Depending on the level of care needed, types of treatment provided and distance traveled to the emergency room, a patient’s ambulance bill could exceed $1,200. Ada County Paramedics first sends the bill to the patient’s health insurer, but in most cases, the patient’s policy only covers a small portion of the expense–leaving the patient responsible for the remaining balance. This practice is called balance billing. But anyone who signs up for the Neighbors for Life program can rest assured knowing Ada County Paramedics will write-off any remaining unpaid balance.

Member Benefits

Neighbors for Life members who are covered by insurance will have NO out of pocket costs associated with emergency medical treatment provided by Ada County Paramedics. Payment from the member’s insurance company is considered payment-in-full for the service and Ada County Paramedics will write off any balance left unpaid by the insurer. Members who do not have health insurance will pay $100 per emergency medical incident. This charge is in addition to the annual membership fee.

How to Sign Up

Everyone is eligible for the program and memberships cover an entire household. Additional memberships may be purchased as gifts for other family members and friends who do not live in your immediate household. Costs run $60 per year per household. A lifetime household membership is $1,000. There are several ways to sign up for the program.

• By notifying us online you want to enroll: adaparamedics.org/enroll.asp
• By calling Ada County Paramedics: 208-287-2950
• By mailing or faxing your printed enrollment form:
  P.O. Box 104209, Boise, ID 83714
  208-287-2999 fax

“We anticipate many people will sign up for this great program. It is an obvious benefit to those that may need to use the EMS system. Most of us do not believe that we will need an ambulance, but with more than 18,500 patients seen last year alone, the unexpected often occurs,” says Hagen. “We also hope to appeal to those who want both peace of mind in controlling their health-care costs and those who simply want quality EMS services in their community. Every dollar put into the system is used to enhance the service.”

In addition to the Neighbors for Life program, Ada County Paramedics have also launched the Neighbors in Need program. This program allows the public to make tax-deductible contributions of any amount to the program. Funds collected will be used to help low-income families pay their emergency medical bills.

*Note: Ada County Paramedics will NEVER use telemarketers to solicit memberships for the Neighbors for Life program. Only once an interested party has expressed a desire to enroll, and specifically requests that he or she be contacted by phone for payment, will Ada County Paramedics' personnel call. Other payment options include mailing or personally delivering a check to Ada County Paramedics' headquarters, or faxing credit card information.