Ambulance plan goes to Storey County

Having to take an ambulance in Carson City or Storey and Lyon counties just got a whole lot cheaper.

Carson City recently extended the benefits of its ambulance subscription program to Storey County.

Now, for the price of $50 a household, a Carson resident can get hurt in Storey County, and the ambulance ride back to Carson City will cost nothing. The same thing goes for Storey County residents hurt in Carson City - the ride with flashing lights, sirens and a paramedic will cost nothing. That only applies, of course, if you are enrolled in an ambulance subscription program in one of the counties.

Carson City and Lyon County already have this agreement in place, and Lyon and Storey counties are ironing out the details to extend the same service between the two rural counties.

Storey County residents have until July 1 to sign up for the service, which costs $10 for seniors over 55 and $25 for households with residents under 55, said Storey County Fire Chief Gary Hames.

Hames said about 200 people have signed up for the program's first year in Storey County. He said the average bill for a Storey County resident is about $300. Although that cost is lower than either Lyon County or Carson City services, Hames said some people, many uninsured, would rather not call for help than be faced with an ambulance bill.

"It came to our attention that people were dying on the way to the hospital to avoid an ambulance bill," Hames said. "We're trying to take a proactive approach. With this people can enroll for service and it's inexpensive. They can get transported, and won't see a bill from us. Ambulance costs will go up slightly, but most of our calls are for tourists.

"It gets to the point where you have to give something back to the residents. This will be a huge benefit and will provide a little bit of relief to the citizens so impacted by paying taxes."

Vince Pirozzi, Carson City Emergency Medical Services chief, said the Carson City program has about 3,200 members.

"It's a bargain," Pirozzi said. "For the whole family, for the whole year, you get full service for $50. For those with no insurance, it's a bargain and a half."

Pirozzi said the profitable program helps keep ambulance rates lower. The average cost for an ambulance ride in Carson City is about $650 per trip.

Central Lyon County Fire District office enrolled about 330 residents in its subscription program its first year. So far this year, only 195 residents have taken advantage of the $50 fee for full ambulance service in three counties, said Vicki Crabb, administrative assistant for the fire district. An average ride in Lyon County costs about $900, she said.

Sign ups in Carson City run through June 30 and cost $50 per household

To sign up: Call the Carson City Fire Department at 887-2389

Sign ups in Lyon County run through June 30 and cost $50 per household

To sign up: Call the Central Lyon County Fire District Office at 246-6209

Sign ups in Storey County run through July 1 and cost $10 for seniors over 55 and $25 for households with residents under 55

To sign up: Call the Storey County Fire Department at 847-0954