Health Officials Propose Tiered Ambulance Services

A basic ambulance ride in Alameda County costs $3,664.87, even if you are not going to the emergency room, according to the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency (HCSA) website. So, health officials say they are looking at an alternative tiered-service approach to improve service in the county and help residents avoid high-cost ambulance bills. 

On January 12, the Agency’s Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMS) announced it will open its ambulance service contract to new bids this summer, with the contract starting in 2026 when its current relationship with Falck US expires.  

While many sick and injured people need a ride to the emergency room, EMS Director Lauri McFadden says ambulances are frequently used to transport patients between facilities or clinics. This may also include 911 Patient Navigation Services like connecting with a doctor or physician for over-the-phone triage or transporting people with specialized mental health crises. In some cases, she says, these ambulance rides are not the best care for the patient and can be unnecessarily costly and ineffective.

“We’re doing away with the usual one-size-fits-all approach, where anyone who calls 911 for health reasons is transported to an emergency room,” McFadden said. “This new approach will allow our health professionals to support each patient with the care that’s best for them, whether through the emergency room, on-site treatment, or connection to other care outside the emergency response system.” 

Whichever ambulance company wins the contract, EMS officials say the service must also focus on reducing known disparities in emergency care outcomes for at-risk and historically underserved populations. The new contract also requires the ambulance service to work with EMS, determine specific performance metrics, and be held accountable by the County.

“Before we decided to put this contract out to bid, we consulted local EMS partners to help our residents get the timely and high-quality emergency care we all deserve,” said Colleen Chawla, director of the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency. 

The deadline for applications is August 15 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific. The bid number for the proposal is #HCSA-902023. Applicants are required to attend an information meeting on either February 28 or 29.