UBREMS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. How do I subscribe?

A. You can subscribe by returning the subscription form, which will be distributed to residents during the next several weeks in April. If you do not receive one, please call us at (610) 847-2165 with your address and we will ensure that you receive one. Otherwise you may utilize the UBREMS website to submit your subscription online. You will be directed to the PayPal website to make your payment.

Q. What does my subscription cover?

A. Your subscription covers the costs of all medically necessary emergency ambulance trips, including all co-payments and deductibles. No matter how many times you and your family may need medically necessary ambulance service, you will not be responsible for any additional fees for medically necessary emergency transportation.

Q. My insurance covers ambulance trips so why should I subscribe?

A. Subscribing does more than protect you from incurring an expensive ambulance trip. It also insures that Upper Bucks Regional EMS can provide the best possible emergency medical care to you and your family. Your subscription money allows Upper Bucks Regional EMS to hire and retain qualified medical professionals, purchase and maintain new ambulances, and invest in life saving medical equipment.

Q. How long does my subscription coverage last?

A. Subscription coverage lasts from the date of payment until April 2008. Sorry, we cannot prorate your subscription, meaning if you renew your subscription part way through the subscription year, it will still run out on April 31st.

Q. What is Third Party billing?

A. Third Party Billing is the process where Upper Bucks Regional EMS recoups its operating cost by charging your insurance company for ambulance service. Upper Bucks Regional EMS bills all patient’s insurance, including subscribers. As a subscriber you will still recieve a bill for services due to federal law that mandates us to send a bill to every patient. However, UBREMS subscribers are not responsible for any charges not covered by their insurance company for medically necessary emergency ambulance service. Non-subscribers will be billed for the portion not covered by their insurance. The costs of not subscribing can be high, as the typical BASIC ambulance bill can exceed $800. Bills for patients requiring care from Advanced Life Support (ALS) can exceed $1500.

Q. What should I do with checks that I receive from my insurance company for ambulance service?

A. Any checks that you receive from your insurance company for ambulance service should be sent to: Upper Bucks Regional EMS, Inc., P.O. Box 105, Revere, PA 18953. These checks are payment for the ambulance services that you received, and are vital for our services to continue.

Q. Do my tax dollars fund Upper Bucks Regional EMS?

A. No. Upper Bucks Regional EMS receives money from the municipalities. Due to the high cost of delivering emergency service, these donations are not nearly enough to cover our annual operating budget, which is tight as it is. This makes your subscription a vital source of funding for us. Without paid subscriptions, we cannot continue to deliver high quality emergency care.

Q. Does my donation to my volunteer fire company provide me with a subscription to Upper Bucks Regional EMS?

A. No. Your donation to your local fire department does not provide you with a subscription to Upper Bucks Regional EMS. While we work very closely with these departments, we are independent from all volunteer fire departments and we do not receive any funding from them.

Q. Is Upper Bucks Regional EMS a department of the Townships?

A. No. We are an independent non-profit organization. Although we are a separate organization, we do work closely with the township's to strengthen public safety.

Q. Does my subscription cover me outside of Upper Bucks Regionals coverage area?

A. Yes. Your subscription is honored by most EMS organizations in Upper Bucks County. Call (610) 847-2165 for a list of communities where you are covered.

Q. Are non-emergency transport services covered by my subscription?

A. Subscribers recieve discounts for non-emergency services (when they are available). However, there still are charges for subscribers. For pricing information, please call (610) 847-2165.

Thank YOU for your continued support. Together, we can continue to provide excellent Emergency Medical Care for the Residents and Visitors to OUR area!