Frequently Asked Questions
A. Open enrollment is year round, but it is an annual program, and therefore extends through June 30th each year. You can enroll right here online or pick up an application Western Lane Ambulance District Admin office (2625 Hwy 101), Peace Harbor Hospital, Peace Health Siuslaw Region Clinics, Siuslaw Valley Fire & Rescue or call 541-997-9614 and we will mail an application to you.
Q. If I don’t belong to the Membership Program will the ambulance still come if I call 911?
A. Absolutely, we will still provide you and your household with excellent service. The Membership Program only has to do with the billing portion, of how we charge for our service.
Q. Is Western Lane Ambulance LifeMed Program part of the FireMed program?
A. Yes, we work as an independent agency but participate with 88 reciprocal FireMed Agencies in the State of Oregon. A list of participating agencies has been enclosed in this packet.
Q. Who does the membership cover?
A. (See Agreement) Membership includes all persons who are permanent residents of the same single-family occupancy, non-commercial residence, living within LifeMed’s ambulance service areas, living together as part of a family unit, including domestic partners, but not to include temporary stays or boarders; those which are listed on the membership application. Membership benefits include household members living in substitute care (ex: nursing homes). Others not included in this definition are required to obtain their own separate memberships.
Q. Is it insurance?
A. No, it is a paid subscription to the ambulance membership program.
Q. When does the Western Lane Ambulance LifeMed Membership expire each year?
A. All Western Lane Ambulance “LifeMed Memberships” extend through June 30th each year; regardless if you sign-up in July or January. Check with Western Lane Ambulance admin staff in May if any special sign-up promotions are available; call 541-997-9614 or stop by the office on 2625 Highway 101 during business hours.
Q. What does Western Lane Ambulance LifeMed Membership pay for?
A. LifeMed covers medically necessary (See Agreement) pre-hospital care and ground transportation only which the co-pay, deductible or limitations on your policy that your insurance doesn’t always cover. We accept your insurance, Medicare or third party payer as payment in full, even if your insurance doesn’t pay the full cost of the transport. In the event you have no insurance, you are still covered under the LifeMed program.
Q. Does it cover transportation to hospitals in other cities?
A. Federal law requires the patient be taken to the nearest appropriate facility. However, if the Emergency Room or admitting physician deems ambulance transport to a different hospital necessary – yes, LifeMed covers this cost.
Q. Does Western Lane Ambulance LifeMed Program coverage include out-of-state ambulance services?
A. No, it only covers our local service area and those of the Reciprocal Agencies participating through FireMed throughout Oregon.
Q. Is the $65 membership fee ever refundable or prorated should I move out of the Florence area?
A. No. Once you have paid the membership fee for the current year, no refund is given and no prorate of service is offered at this time.
Q. What type of service does Western Lane Ambulance LifeMed Program not cover?
A. Western Lane Ambulance LifeMed does not cover non-emergency ambulance calls; such as trips from a nursing home to routine dialysis treatments or visits to your doctor, or non-emergency transportation from a medical care facility.
Membership translates into significant savings and is a very smart investment in peace of mind for you and your family.
Your privacy is important to us. Please be assured Western Lane Ambulance District does not
sell, rent, or trade your personal information to others.