Officials concerned with declining FireMed enrollment

Officials concerned with declining FireMed enrollment

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By Glen Beeby KPIC News

ROSEBURG, Ore. -- Douglas County Fire District 2 has seen a drop in the number of renewals for it's FireMed program, and that has them concerned.

The program is meant to help members cover the cost of an emergency ambulance ride to the hospital, and will even cover the cost of co-pays for those who already have insurance.

Deputy Chief Greg Marlar says they're not quite sure what caused the drop-off this year. "We have seen a slight decrease in the amount of renewal. We do our mail out in April for our campaign for renewals because our program runs July 1 through June 30 of each year, and to date through the end of June, we are down quite a bit  from the renewal amount we've had in previous years. We're not quite sure why that's happened. Obviously, I think the economy has affected that somewhat and people are a little more reluctant to renew and are watching their dollars and cents, and where those are going."

Marlar says an ambulance ride to the hospital is over $1,000 in the Roseburg area, and even with insurance some co-pays can be a couple hundred dollars.

The Fire-Med program is $52 a year, and he says its an inexpensive way to cover yourself in case you need the ambulance service.

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