How are Friendswood Volunteer Fire Department (FVFD) firefighting services and emergency medical services (EMS) currently paid for by residents? The City’s adopted budget for the fiscal year 2018–2019 includes $1.8 million, provided by taxes paid by Friendswood residents and other revenue sources.

How and when will that change? City Council has decided that beginning in mid-January 2019, Friendswood residents will be billed for EMS services provided by FVFD. The billing services will be handled by Emergicon Emergency Medical Consultants. FVFD firefighting services will continue to be provided at no additional cost.

What will an “average” ambulance call cost? EMS cost varies, based upon the needs of the individual patient during their ambulance service. It is hard to quantify an “average” cost. As an example: a person who needed the lowest level of Advanced Life Support transport (Level 1), used a typical amount of disposable medical supplies and oxygen, and was taken to a hospital seven miles away, would be billed $1,730.

All EMS bills will be based upon the level of medical services performed and the disposable medical supplies used during treatment. Definitions of the categories of medical services and a list of disposable medical supplies are available upon request.  

Are ambulance services covered by my health insurance? That depends upon your health insurance plan.

Why the change? Over the years, the balance between volunteer EMS and paid EMS staff has shifted dramatically toward paid staffing levels, the number of calls has increased, and operating costs have risen, making funding through only existing revenue sources an unsustainable situation.

Billing medical insurance companies for medical services that individuals are already paying for with insurance premiums can make the EMS model more sustainable.   

Do we still need to donate $6 on our utility bill every other month? Yes. The $6 donations provide partial support for FVFD firefighting and EMS to purchase new fire trucks, ambulances and other emergency equipment, not EMS operations. The new EMS billing offsets only part of the cost of the EMS services provided by FVFD.

How will billing work? Emergicon Emergency Medical Consultants will bill a patient’s medical insurance first. The remaining balance, in an itemized bill, will be sent to the patient’s responsible party. To discuss a bill, you can call Emergicon Emergency Medical Consultants at 877-602-2060 or 972-602-2060, or email them at questions@emergicon.com Bills can be paid online at www.emergicon.com

If I don’t pay my bill, will I be refused EMS? No, an unpaid balance will not affect requests for future service. Emergicon Emergency Medical Consultants will send an additional invoice to your insurance provider and you for the remaining balance.

Are adjacent cities charging for EMS? Yes. League City, Alvin, Webster, and Pearland already bill patients for EMS services at rates comparable to Friendswood’s plan.

How do I get more information? Please contact the City of Friendswood Fire Marshal’s Office at 281-996-3335.