Ambulance Billing and Medical Records

Los Alamos County Fire Department recognizes that ambulance services are often needed at some of our most difficult times. This page outlines what we charge for ambulance services and details ways Los Alamos County can work with you to ensure that the billing process is as easy as possible following these events. By working together, we can make sure our medical response system continues to meet the needs and expectations of our community and visitors.

Billing Records and Inquiries

For questions concerning an ambulance bill or billing records, please contact our ambulance billing company to speak with a representative:

Phone
800-588-3995

Website
AMB – Ambulance Medical Billing

What happens after I receive ambulance services?

After receiving ambulance services from the Los Alamos Fire Department, you may receive a bill for the total amount owed. (Applicable rates are included below.) You may submit your insurance information directly to our billing company. Once they receive your insurance information, they will promptly present the total amount owed to your insurance provider and attempt to collect payment. They will forward any unpaid balance to you. You are responsible for any balances owed after the insurance has paid.

Why do I have to pay?

The County does not levy any tax payer assessments to cover the cost of ambulance services. Any services provided are supported by user fees. This limits the cost of services to only those who use it. The fees for service are set by tariff as approved by the State of New Mexico’s Public Regulation Commission and the county’s Governing Body. The current rates are included below.

Medical Records

If you would like to obtain medical records, please contact the EMS Division at 505-662-8376 or submit requests to:

Mailing Address

EMS Division - Privacy Officer
Los Alamos Fire Department
999 Central Ave, Ste 200
Los Alamos NM 87544

Secure Fax
505-663-3480

What if I do not receive a bill?

The County will charge all customers for services rendered. Our EMT’s make every effort to collect as much information as possible at the time services are rendered; however, it is not always possible to collect enough information for the Billing Company to locate a customer. If you have not received a bill within thirty (30) days of receiving services, please contact a representative at:

AMB MARS

P.O. Box 9150
100 Fulton Court
Paducah, KY 42002-9200
Toll Free: 800.749.7026
FAX: 270.744.8642

Do I have to accept EMS services?

No. You have the right to refuse any treatment. If the ambulance crew is turned away before making patient contact, you will not receive a bill as no services will have been provided. If you refuse transport to the hospital, but received an assessment by LAFD EMT’s you will receive a bill following the New Mexico Ambulance Billing Tariff guidelines. You will also be required to sign a release form acknowledging that you have refused the LAFD’s services.

Do I have to pay the entire balance at once?

If you are uninsured, your insurance denies your claim, or a balance remains after your insurance has paid, you will be responsible for the balance in full. Please contact AMB MARS for payment plans.

What if I cannot afford my bill?

Several options are available including establishing a payment plan as described above. In addition, programs such the Los Alamos Health Care Assistance Program. The Los Alamos County Health Care Assistance Program is a County program that is funded by the gross receipts tax and administered by the Los Alamos County Council. The Health Care Assistance Program reimburses contracted providers for the care and treatment of qualified individuals.

Further information can be found at payment assistance.

What if I wish to dispute my bill?

All disputes must be submitted in writing. The EMS Division will research the history of the case and examine the nature of the dispute and then respond with a written determination. Such written determination shall be final. Please submit disputes to Los Alamos County Fire Department.

ATTN: LAFD EMS Division
999 Central Ave Suite 200
Los Alamos New Mexico 87544

Current Ambulance Billing Rates

Services Rendered	Rate
Basic Life Support (BLS) non-emergency Applies when non-emergency BLS transportation, assessment or intervention is provided by licensed Emergency Medical Technicians.
Assessment or intervention, with or without transport (first patient mile included).	$355.00
Per patient mile (2 or more miles).	$12.75
Basic Life Support (BLS) Emergency Applies when emergency (immediate response made to a 911 or equivalent call) BLS transportation, intervention or assessment is provided by licensed Emergency Medical Technicians.
Assessment or intervention, with or without transport (first patient mile included)	$512.00
Per patient mile (2 or more miles).	$12.75
Advanced Life Support Level 1 (ALS1) Non-emergency Applies when non-emergency ALS assessment or at least one ALS intervention is provided by licensed Emergency Medical Technician- Intermediate or an Emergency Medical Technician- Paramedic.
Assessment or intervention, with or without transport (first patient mile included).	$385.00
Per patient mile (2 or more miles)	$12.75
Advanced Life Support Level 1 (ALS1) Emergency Applies when emergency (immediate response made to 911 or equivalent call) ALS assessment or at least one ALS intervention is provided by a licensed Emergency Medical Technician- Intermediate or a licensed Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic.
Assessment or intervention, with or without transport (first patient mile included).	$607.00
Per patient mile (2 or more miles).	$12.75
Advanced Life Support Level 2 (ALS2) Emergency Applies when as a result of emergency (immediate response made to a 911 or equivalent call) at least three different ALS medications by intravenous push/bolus or by continuous infusion (excluding crystalloid, hypotonic, isotonic, hypertonic solutions, oxygen and aspirin) are administered or; when the same ALS medication is administered three times or; when one or more of the following ALS procedures are provided: manual defibrillation/cardioversion, endotracheal intubation, central venous line, pacing, chest decompression, surgical airway, advanced invasive airway, or intraosseous access.
Medication administration or provision of procedure, with or without transport (first patient mile included).	$878.00
Per patient mile (2 or more miles)	$12.75
Specialty Care Transport (SCT) Applies when a level of inter-facility transportation of a critically injured or ill patient at a level of service beyond the scope of practice for Emergency Medical Technician –Intermediates or Emergency Medical Technicians- Paramedics is provided.
Transport (first patient mile included)	$975.00
Per patient mile (2 or more miles).	$12.75
Patient Evaluation (Emergency Response and No Transport) Applies when emergency services (immediate response made to a 911 or equivalent call) are provided by certified Emergency Medical First Responder.
Charge	$136.00
Dedicated Stand-by Charges (per ambulance and two personnel) Applies when emergency medical services are provided for an event such as a football game or county fair where the potential of illness or injury exists.
First hour or any portion thereof	$145.00
Second whole hour and any whole hour thereafter	108.00
Fifteen (15) minute increments after first hour	$27.00

What is the difference between an emergent and non-emergent transport?
The basic difference is whether the reason for the transport is “life-threatening” or not. Motor vehicle accidents, heart attacks, strokes, gun shots, or any potential life threat are reasons for an emergent transport. Examples of non-emergent transports include transportation from any non 911 initiated call to the hospital for a minor illness or injury Also, most hospital to hospital transports are considered non-emergent.

How do I obtain a copy of my ambulance run report?

Due to HIPAA law, you will need to obtain these files directly from LAFD. However, if your attorney needs a copy of this report, they can fax AMB MARS a HIPAA authorization signed by you along with a request for the document and they will fax it back to them. AMB MAR’s fax number is 270-744-8642.

Contact Us
For questions concerning an ambulance bill, you may contact the Emergency Medical Services Division during our normal office hours – Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm – to speak with a representative. If a representative is not available, please leave a detailed message and your call will be returned within two business days. Please contact as follows:
Phone: (505) 662-8301

For further information please contact the Fire Departments 3rd part billing company below.

Credit-Bureau Ambulance Billing