Mono County’s Solution to Emergency Medical Services

Comparing Inyo and Mono Counties is always a dangerous path to follow. Both share
spectacular scenery, communities surrounded by public lands and a dependence on tourism.
Each has its own solution to the problems those elements create, including how to provide Emergency Medical Services.

The obvious difference is the presence of two ski destinations in Mono County, a source of
revenue as well as broken bones requiring EMS and transport to area hospitals.

According to Bryan Bullock, chief of Mono County EMS, the County has subsidized EMS since
the early 80s. One way they’ve accomplished a stable EMS is through an Ambulance
Subscription Program, charging an annual $65 fee per household. The following are details on
how that works:
 For those with health insurance, Mono’s EMS bills the insurance company, accepting the
reimbursement as payment in full. Those families with no insurance but an EMS
subscription are covered in full for EMS and transport.
 Non-subscribers with insurance can pass the EMS bill to their insurance company but
will be responsible for any unpaid balance.
 The subscription covers three ambulance transports a year for subscriber family
members.

Mono’s EMS staffs four Advanced Life Support ambulances with a combination of paramedics
and Emergency Medical Technicians with two ALS ambulances in reserve.