The Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department began charging for EMS transport on July 1, 2008. Prince George’s County citizens and residents who have health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid will not pay any costs for ambulance service - insurance payments will be accepted as payment in full. There will be no additional co-payment or deductible.

For county citizens and residents who are uninsured, the Department will work with residents to ensure no one suffers financial hardship as a result of ambulance transport.

Firefighters/Medics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) will deliver the same high quality medical care and service that citizens, residents and visitors expect and depend upon. There will be no change in the way medical care is provided; it will be transparent to the patient. Personal information will continue to be gathered by medical staff at the hospital. Additionally, personal privacy will be protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Charges for ambulance transport include: $500 for Basic Life Support transport, $650 for Advanced Life-1 Support transport and $750 for Advanced Life Support-2 transport.  There is also a $5 per loaded transport mile - from pick-up point to the hospital for ground transport. There will be no charge if there is no transport.

Basic Life Support (BLS) is transportation by ground ambulance vehicle and the provision of medically necessary supplies and services, including BLS ambulance services as defined by the state.  The ambulance must be staffed by an individual who is qualified in accordance with state and local laws as an emergency medical technician-basic (EMT-B).  These laws may vary from state to state or within a state.  For example, an EMT-B is permitted to operate limited equipment onboard the vehicle, assist more qualified personnel in performing assessments and interventions, and establish a peripheral intravenous (IV) line.

Advanced Life Support (ALS-1) is the transportation by ground ambulance vehicle and the provision of medically necessary supplies and services including the provision of an ALS assessment or at least one ALS intervention.

Advanced Life Support, Level 2 (ALS-2) is the transportation by ground ambulance vehicle and the provision of medically necessary supplies and services including: (1) at least three separate administrations of one or more medications by intravenous push/bolus or by continuous infusion (excluding crystalloid fluids); or (2) ground ambulance transport and the provision of at least one of the ALS-2 procedures.

No one will ever be denied county ambulance service based on ability to pay or the lack of insurance. There are provisions for those without medical insurance and/or the ability to pay the transport fee. 

When citizens, residents and visitors need emergency help, they should call 9-1-1 without hesitation.