Paramedic Outrage
On February 25, 2025, I went to Care Fast urgent care on Pass Avenue in Burbank, CA. For arrhythmia/atrial fibrillation. As a longtime heart patient, I just wanted the urgent care doctor to diagnose it and see if there was any new immediate non-invasive treatment, before making an appointment with my cardiologist or going to the ER.
After the doctor diagnosed me with Afib the paramedics showed up, to take me to the ER. I was shocked as I was very aware of my condition, had been living with intermittent Afib for years, and I refused to go to the ER. I went home and made an appointment with my cardiologist.
Two months or so later I got a bill from the City of Burbank Paramedic Services. For $118.20. I was mildly annoyed as I thought this was covered under my Medicare and Blue Shield of CA medical insurance. I called the paramedic service to remedy the situation and tell them Fast Care should have provided the insurance info to my insurance. They informed me that this was NOT covered under Medicare or Blue Shield. Turns out it is apparently a City of Burbank issue, as the paramedics work for that city.
The doctor called the
paramedics without consulting me in advance. If he had, I would have refused
and would now not be liable for $100.20. And why doesn’t the City of Burbank
cover all the costs, I do all my life things in Burbank.
I emailed the city council of the City of Burbank. They emailed me to say they forwarded my issue to the Burbank Fire Department Emergency Medical Services.
