Question: We appreciate the city’s ambulance service. However, why do we receive a bill for this city service? Why is it payable to “EMS Hawaii Dept of Health,” suggesting a state function?
Answer: Although Hawaii police, fire and emergency medical service all are dispatched through 911, only the ambulance service typically generates a bill to the user. This is common throughout the United States, partly because the cost of the ambulance may be covered, in full or part, by the user’s medical insurance.
None of these police, fire or ambulance responses are free, of course. All are funded by taxpayers. In the case of EMS, however, public funding is offset by user fees. Some U.S. jurisdictions reportedly have imposed direct billing for police and fire service, too; we aren’t aware of a current movement to do so in Hawaii.
The state Department of Health administers Hawaii’s Emergency Medical Services, contracting through the counties. The system, mandated by state law, is designed to reduce medical-emergency deaths, injuries and permanent, long-term disability by rapidly assisting residents and visitors alike.
Shayne Enright, a spokeswoman for the Honolulu Emergency Services Department, explains:
“The state of Hawaii’s Department of Health oversees and funds Emergency Medical Services. The state contracts with the City and County of Honolulu to provide the service on Oahu. The state contracts with different EMS service providers in each county. The state hires a billing company to generate revenue to support the system. These billing revenues go to the state general fund. If you call 911 an EMS ambulance will be dispatched to your emergency. If you are treated and transported by an EMS ambulance you will receive a bill for these services. Currently the state charges $1,265 for transport to an emergency room, plus an additional $16.50 per mile. If you have insurance, you will need to contact your provider regarding your coverage.”
For other questions about your bill, call Intermedix, the mainland-based company that handles Hawaii’s billing, at 888-987-2713, toll-free; or write State of Hawaii EMS Services, P.O. Box 844502, Los Angeles, CA 90084-4502.
Hawaii’s base rates for emergency ambulance service rose 10 percent last year, to $1,127 for basic life support, $1,265 for advanced life support or specialty care transport and $6,407 for rotary wing (air ambulance), according to a notice by the Department of Health.
On Oahu, EMS has 18 full-time and two part-time ambulances to serve a population of about 1 million people.
Q: Please list the next recycling event. I missed the last one.
Q: Where can I dispose of my computer screen, tower and keyboard?
A: There’s a community recycling event scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Waikiki School, 3710 Leahi Ave. Drive through the school’s parking lot near the corner of Leahi and Monsarrat avenues to drop off your stuff with the event’s volunteers.
The “Going Green” event will recycle unlimited amounts of e-waste such as computers, monitors, printers, scanners and cellphones, plus a limit of one TV per car, according to a news release from Rene Mansho, the program’s organizer.
It also will accept all kinds of batteries, used household cooking oil, HI-5 beverage containers, used eyeglasses and hearing aids, usable clothing (especially prom dresses and women’s business apparel), blankets and towels, and canned goods for the Hawaii Foodbank, she said.
It will not accept paper (including cardboard), tires, paint, metal, motor oil, plastics (other than HI-5), wood, bulky items or hazardous fluids.
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
