EMS FAQ's
Here we have answered some of the most commonly asked questions of our service. If you have a question that is not on this list, please contact us and we will answer yours individually.

Q: Where is the closest ambulance to where I live?

Q: Can I come to an EMS station to have my blood pressure checked?

Q: What number do I call when I need an ambulance?

Q: What hospitals do you take patients to?

Q: Why does a fire or rescue truck come to my house when I call for an ambulance?

Q: Does my health insurance cover being transported by ambulance?

Q: Who should I contact if I have a question about my bill?

Q: How do I get a copy of my ambulance trip report?

Q: What is H.I.P.A.A.?

Q: How many calls did Jackson County EMS respond to in 2010?

Q: Where is the closest ambulance to where I live?
A: We operate six ambulance that are strategically located throughout the county. Our ambulances are located in Jefferson, Commerce, Braselton, Nicholson, Plainview and South Jackson. We encourage you to call 911 if you have an emergency. If you come to one of the EMS stations by car, there is a possibility that ambulance may not be there, delaying care to you or your family member.

Q: Can I come to the EMS station to have my blood pressure checked?
A: Yes! We encourage you to come by to have your blood pressure monitored. We offer blood pressure monitoring from 8am-8pm seven days a week at each of the EMS stations.

Q: What number do I call when I need an ambulance?
A: Dial 911 for any emergency inside Jackson County. Our communication operators are trained to direct the appropriate emergency resources to you. You can reach Jackson County Communications on their non-emergency line at (706) 367-1911.

Q: What hospitals do you take patients to?
A: Our service has a policy that we will transport patients to the facility of their choice providing the hospital chosen is within reasonable distance to the patient’s location and is capable of meeting the patient’s immediate needs. We transport patients to Northridge Medical Center in Commerce; Athens Regional Medical Center and Saint Mary's Hospital in Athens; Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville; Barrow Regional Medical Center in Winder, and Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville. If the patient does not, cannot, or will not express a choice of hospitals, Paramedics shalltransport the patient to the nearest hospital believed capable of meeting the patient’s immediatemedical needs without regard to other factors, e.g. patient’s ability to pay, hospital charges,county, or city limits, etc. Appropriate patient care is the direct goal of Jackson County EMS. Often, Paramedics will encourage patients and their families to be transported directly to a facility that is capable of addressing their medical needs.

Q: Why does a fire or rescue truck come to my house when I call for an ambulance?
A: Many medical and trauma related emergencies require additional resources. Depending on the nature of the emergency, rescue and fire departments in your community will respond to provide assistance to the ambulance crews. The rescue and fire departments also respond to all motor vehicle accidents in the county to provide additional manpower and vehicle extrication. There are also times that rescue or fire personnel will arrive at your home when you call for help in street clothes and in their personal vehicles. The majority of our fire and rescue departments are volunteer and their members respond from their home or work. 

Q: Does my health insurance cover being transported by ambulance?
A: In most cases, yes. However, this depends on the type of coverage that the patient has and whether the service is considered medically necessary by the patient’s insurance carrier. The amount that your insurance company may pay towards ambulance transportation will vary based on the insurance contract that you have with your insurance company. Insurance plans offer different levels of coverage or customary charges that the insurance company will pay towards the bill. This amount varies greatly from 100% of the fees charged to another amount the insurance company decides is usually and customary. Each insurance company and, in some cases, each insurance policy may pay differently towards ambulance transportation. Medicare and Medicaid also cover ambulance transportation, however, they both have specific rules and guidelines regarding ambulance charges. We encourage you to check with your insurance provider should you have specific questions pertaining to your coverage.

Q: Who should I contact if I have a question about my bill?
A: Jackson County EMS contracts with Emergency Billing, LLC in Commerce. You can reach them at (706) 335-0123 or 866-902-4367. Their web address is www.emergencybilling.com.

Q: How do I get a copy of my ambulance trip report?
A. All patient records are confidential and protected by various privacy laws. Jackson County has established a privacy and security policy to comply with these laws and to assure the integrity of your protected health information. All requests for copies of records must be made in person by the patient or the patient’s legal guardian. Only under a few exceptions, such as complying with a subpoena, can medical information be released without the consent of the patient. For more information and to request a copy of your ambulance records, please call (706) 367-5202.

Q: What is H.I.P.A.A.?
A: H.I.P.A.A. stands for the Health Insurance and Portability Accountability Act. H.I.P.A.A. is a Federally mandated policy that basically states how we as an EMS service can use your personal health information. The only two entities that receive any medical information from Jackson County EMS is the receiving hospital and our billing service. We do not distribute any other information pertinent to our patients to any other person or entity. Click here to view our Notice of Privacy Practices.

Q: How many calls did Jackson County EMS respond to in 2010?
A: Jackson County EMS responded to 6,192 emergency calls in 2010.