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Information for Patients

Emergency Medical Services

The San Mateo County EMS Agency contracts with local fire departments and American Medical Response (AMR) to provide paramedic first response and ambulance transportation for 9-1-1 medical emergencies.

What Happens When You Call 9-1-1

Your call is transferred to San Mateo County Public Safety Communications, where an Emergency Medical Dispatcher gathers information, provides medical instructions and dispatches the appropriate resources.

Fire-service paramedics generally arrive first and begin assessing and treating the patient. AMR ambulance personnel continue care and, when transportation is needed, take the patient to the appropriate hospital. This coordinated model supports timely care while keeping emergency resources available throughout the County.

Performance and Oversight

Fire departments and AMR must meet clinical, operational and response-time standards established in their agreements with the County. For example, AMR must respond to at least 90% of urban emergency calls within 12 minutes and 59 seconds in each response zone. The EMS Agency continuously monitors provider performance, patient care and contract compliance.

Ambulance Charges

AMR bills patients according to the County-approved fee schedule. The ambulance charge supports the complete 9-1-1 EMS response, including:

  • Emergency medical dispatch
  • Fire-service paramedic first response
  • AMR ambulance response and transportation
  • Clinical review and EMS Agency oversight
  • EMS technology, equipment and system infrastructure

The amount billed will depend on the services, supplies and transportation provided.

Charge Current: July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 Previous: July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026
Base rate $4,531.34 $4,123.15
Mileage $113.08 per mile $102.89 per mile
Night charge $437.53 $398.12
Oxygen $437.53 $398.12
12-lead cardiac monitor $450.95 $410.33
Clinical-care EMS technology fee $2.79 per mile $2.54 per mile
Treatment without transportation $0.00 $0.00
Glucometer supplies $74.38 $67.68
Intravenous supplies $109.98 $100.07
ECG electrodes $79.44 $72.28
Universal-precaution supplies $146.72 $133.50

 

Insurance and Medicare

Ambulance coverage varies by insurance plan. Your insurer will determine the covered amount and your responsibility based on your benefits, medical necessity, deductibles, copayments and other policy requirements. Contact your insurance plan for information about your specific coverage.

Medicare Part B generally covers ground-ambulance transportation when traveling in another vehicle could endanger the patient’s health and transportation is needed to the nearest appropriate medical facility. Medicare deductibles and coinsurance may apply.

For free Medicare counseling, contact the San Mateo County Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) at 650-627-9350.

Billing Questions

Contact the AMR Patient Business Service Office first for questions about bills, insurance payments or payment arrangements:

Phone: 800-913-9106

Email: billing_inquiries@amr.net

AMR Patient Billing Portal

Complaints, Concerns and Compliments

AMR—San Mateo County
EMS care provider
650-235-1249

San Mateo County EMS Agency
Local EMS agency and oversight entity
650-573-2564
ems@smcgov.org

Medical and Billing Records

The EMS Agency is not the custodian of 9-1-1 ambulance patient care or billing records. Visit EMS Billing and Patient Care Records to identify the correct records custodian and review request instructions.