Date: May 1, 2009
Contact: Andrew S. Muñoz, 702-293-8691
LAS VEGAS – This summer season Lake Mead National Recreation Area will begin billing for transporting patients in National Park Service ambulances. This move will bring the park into line with other units of the National Park Service (NPS) including Grand Canyon National Park and Death Valley National Park.
Visitors will still receive basic emergency medical services such as first aid at no cost. Patients will only be billed for transportation in a park service ambulance.
“Billing for ambulance service is common practice among medical response agencies in the area. The funds from the billing program will help us maintain the quality medical response that our visitors expect,” said Chief Ranger Mary Hinson, Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Billing rates will range from $700-$800 depending on the type and level of care provided plus an additional $18 per mile. Rates will be adjusted for inflation every Jan. 1.
Dante Professional Services of Grand Canyon, Arizona has been contracted to provide billing services for Lake Mead. Transported patients will be provided information about NPS billing procedures.
Each year Lake Mead emergency medical technicians and paramedics respond to about 300 medical calls that require ambulance transport in the recreation area and communities surrounding the park.
-NPS-
