Questa Fire & EMS recognizes that ambulance services are often needed at some of life’s most difficult times. We strive to minimize the financial burden imposed on those receiving medical attention and their families.
This page outlines what we charge for ambulance services and details ways that you can work with the Village to ensure that the billing process is as painless as possible. By working together, we can make sure our medical response system continues to meet the needs and expectations of the constituents of the Village of Questa and the Northern Part of Taos County.
Note: Federal privacy requirements enacted under the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) restrict the release of personal health information. In order for Questa Fire and EMS to release protected health information, proof of authorization must be presented to the Emergency Medical Services Division. Those requesting information will need to fill out an Authorization for Release of information form and present valid ID before the village will release any information. You can obtain the release form by emailing Raynelle Sanchez- Cordova at rcordova@villageofquesta.org.
575-586-0250
Please ask for:
Raynelle Sanchez- Cordova
EMT-Paramedic, Billing Specialist, EMS Director
Contact Us:
For questions concerning an ambulance bill, you may contact the Emergency Medical Services Division during our normal office hours – Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 6 pm – to speak with a representative.
If a representative is not available, please leave a detailed message and your call will be returned within two business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens after I receive ambulance services?
After receiving ambulance services from the Questa Fire and EMS Department, you may receive a bill for the total amount owed. (Applicable rates are included below.) You may submit your insurance information directly to our billing company. Once they receive your insurance information, they will promptly present the total amount owed to your insurance provider and attempt to collect payment. They will forward any unpaid balance to you. You are responsible for any balances owed after the insurance has paid.
Why do I have to pay?
The Village of Questa along with Taos County does not levy any tax payer assessments to cover the cost of ambulance services. Any services provided are supported by user fees. This limits the cost of services to only those who use it. The fees for service are set by tariff as approved by the State of New Mexico’s Public Regulation Commission and the county’s Governing Body. The current rates are included below.
What if I do not receive a bill?
Questa EMS will charge all customers for services rendered. Our EMT’s make every effort to collect as much information as possible at the time services are rendered; however, it is not always possible to collect enough information for the Billing Specialist to locate a customer. If you have not received a bill within thirty (30) days of receiving services, please contact a representative at:
575-586-0250
Fax: 575-586-2400
E-mail: vbailon@villageofquesta.org or rcordova@villageofquesta.org
575-586-0250
Fax: 575-586-2400
E-mail: vbailon@villageofquesta.org or rcordova@villageofquesta.org
Do I have to accept EMS services?
No. You have the right to refuse any treatment. If the ambulance crew is turned away before making patient contact, you will not receive a bill as no services will have been provided. If you refuse transport to the hospital but received an assessment by QEMS EMT’s you will receive a bill following the New Mexico Ambulance Billing Tariff guidelines. You will also be required to sign a release form acknowledging that you have refused the QEMS services.
Do I have to pay the entire balance at once?
If you are uninsured, your insurance denies your claim, or a balance remains after your insurance has paid, you will be responsible for the balance in full. Please contact Questa EMS billing offices for payment plans.
What if I cannot afford my bill?
Several options are available including establishing a payment plan as described above. In addition, programs such the Taos County Indigent fund has funding that can help with medical bills if you qualify. You must go by the Taos County Complex and ask for the Indigent fund paperwork. They will then give you the paperwork to fill out. After that you must return it back to the county and they will decide if you qualify. We as providers are able to assist you in filling out the paperwork but we are not able to fill out the paperwork for you. Please go to the following website to find information and paperwork needed to apply for indigent assistance. Taos County Indigent Fund: file:///D:/Indignent%20Fund%20Application%20-%20English%20(PDF).pdf
Further information can be found at payment assistance.
Further information can be found at payment assistance.
What if I wish to dispute my bill?
All disputes must be submitted in writing. The EMS Division will research the history of the case and examine the nature of the dispute and then respond with a written determination. Such written determination shall be final. Please submit disputes to Questa Fire and EMS Department
Questa Fire & EMS
P.O. Box 260
Questa, NM 87556
P.O. Box 260
Questa, NM 87556
Current Ambulance Billing Rates
Services Rendered Rate
Basic Life Support (BLS) non-emergency
Applies when non-emergency BLS transportation, assessment or intervention is provided by licensed Emergency Medical Technicians. Assessment or intervention, with or without transport (first patient mile included). $355.00
Per patient mile (2 or more miles).
$12.75
Basic Life Support (BLS) Emergency
Applies when emergency (immediate response made to a 911 or equivalent call) BLS transportation, intervention or assessment is provided by licensed Emergency Medical Technicians.
Assessment or intervention, with or without transport (first patient mile included) $512.00
Per patient mile (2 or more miles).
$12.75
Advanced Life Support Level 1 (ALS1) Non-emergency
Applies when non-emergency ALS assessment or at least one ALS intervention is provided by licensed Emergency Medical Technician- Intermediate or an Emergency Medical Technician- Paramedic.
Assessment or intervention, with or without transport (first patient mile included). $385.00
Per patient mile (2 or more miles)
$12.75
Advanced Life Support Level 1 (ALS1) Emergency
Applies when emergency (immediate response made to 911 or equivalent call) ALS assessment or at least one ALS intervention is provided by a licensed Emergency Medical Technician- Intermediate or a licensed Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic.
Assessment or intervention, with or without transport (first patient mile included). $607.00
Per patient mile (2 or more miles).
$12.75
Advanced Life Support Level 2 (ALS2) Emergency
Applies when as a result of emergency (immediate response made to a 911 or equivalent call) at least three different ALS medications by intravenous push/bolus or by continuous infusion (excluding crystalloid, hypotonic, isotonic, hypertonic solutions, oxygen and aspirin) are administered or; when the same ALS medication is administered three times or; when one or more of the following ALS procedures are provided: manual defibrillation/cardioversion, endotracheal intubation, central venous line, pacing, chest decompression, surgical airway, advanced invasive airway, or intraosseous access.
Medication administration or provision of procedure, with or without transport (first patient mile included). $878.00 Per patient mile (2 or more miles)
$12.75
Specialty Care Transport (SCT)
Applies when a level of inter-facility transportation of a critically injured or ill patient at a level of service beyond the scope of practice for Emergency Medical Technician –Intermediates or Emergency Medical Technicians- Paramedics is provided.
Transport (first patient mile included) $975.00
Per patient mile (2 or more miles).
$12.75
Patient Evaluation (Emergency Response and No Transport)
Applies when emergency services (immediate response made to a 911 or equivalent call) are provided by certified Emergency Medical First Responder.
Charge
$136.00
Dedicated Stand-by Charges (per ambulance and two personnel)
Applies when emergency medical services are provided for an event such as a football game or county fair where the potential of illness or injury exists.
First hour or any portion thereof $145.00
Second whole hour and any whole hour thereafter 108.00
Fifteen (15) minute increments after first hour $27.00
Basic Life Support (BLS) non-emergency
Applies when non-emergency BLS transportation, assessment or intervention is provided by licensed Emergency Medical Technicians. Assessment or intervention, with or without transport (first patient mile included). $355.00
Per patient mile (2 or more miles).
$12.75
Basic Life Support (BLS) Emergency
Applies when emergency (immediate response made to a 911 or equivalent call) BLS transportation, intervention or assessment is provided by licensed Emergency Medical Technicians.
Assessment or intervention, with or without transport (first patient mile included) $512.00
Per patient mile (2 or more miles).
$12.75
Advanced Life Support Level 1 (ALS1) Non-emergency
Applies when non-emergency ALS assessment or at least one ALS intervention is provided by licensed Emergency Medical Technician- Intermediate or an Emergency Medical Technician- Paramedic.
Assessment or intervention, with or without transport (first patient mile included). $385.00
Per patient mile (2 or more miles)
$12.75
Advanced Life Support Level 1 (ALS1) Emergency
Applies when emergency (immediate response made to 911 or equivalent call) ALS assessment or at least one ALS intervention is provided by a licensed Emergency Medical Technician- Intermediate or a licensed Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic.
Assessment or intervention, with or without transport (first patient mile included). $607.00
Per patient mile (2 or more miles).
$12.75
Advanced Life Support Level 2 (ALS2) Emergency
Applies when as a result of emergency (immediate response made to a 911 or equivalent call) at least three different ALS medications by intravenous push/bolus or by continuous infusion (excluding crystalloid, hypotonic, isotonic, hypertonic solutions, oxygen and aspirin) are administered or; when the same ALS medication is administered three times or; when one or more of the following ALS procedures are provided: manual defibrillation/cardioversion, endotracheal intubation, central venous line, pacing, chest decompression, surgical airway, advanced invasive airway, or intraosseous access.
Medication administration or provision of procedure, with or without transport (first patient mile included). $878.00 Per patient mile (2 or more miles)
$12.75
Specialty Care Transport (SCT)
Applies when a level of inter-facility transportation of a critically injured or ill patient at a level of service beyond the scope of practice for Emergency Medical Technician –Intermediates or Emergency Medical Technicians- Paramedics is provided.
Transport (first patient mile included) $975.00
Per patient mile (2 or more miles).
$12.75
Patient Evaluation (Emergency Response and No Transport)
Applies when emergency services (immediate response made to a 911 or equivalent call) are provided by certified Emergency Medical First Responder.
Charge
$136.00
Dedicated Stand-by Charges (per ambulance and two personnel)
Applies when emergency medical services are provided for an event such as a football game or county fair where the potential of illness or injury exists.
First hour or any portion thereof $145.00
Second whole hour and any whole hour thereafter 108.00
Fifteen (15) minute increments after first hour $27.00
What is the difference between an emergent and non-emergent transport?
The basic difference is whether the reason for the transport is “life-threatening” or not. Motor vehicle accidents, heart attacks, strokes, gun shots, or any potential life threat are reasons for an emergent transport. Examples of non-emergent transports include transportation from any non 911 initiated call to the hospital for a minor illness or injury Also, most hospital to hospital transports are considered non-emergent.
How do I obtain a copy of my ambulance run report?
Due to HIPAA law, you will need to obtain these files directly from QEMS. However, if your attorney needs a copy of this report, they can fax QEMS a HIPAA authorization signed by you along with a request for the document and they will fax it back to them. QEMS fax number is 575-586-2400.