"We probably absorb 30 percent of the cost of everything we do," Mergendahl says.
"On an emergency basis we don't question billing at all, and for people that have no insurance we always work with them by either reducing the bill or making a payment plan."
Pro typically charges about $400 to $500 for an ambulance trip, depending on the number of miles travelled by the ambulance. When they deal with health care providers, however, Pro must accept the company's standard rate of pay for ambulance trips. That can vary from anywhere between $90 and $700 per trip depending on the provider, Mergendahl says.
During the day Pro has four Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances and two Advanced Life Support (ALS) vehicles on call at all times, Mergendahl says. At night that number is reduced to one BLS and one ALS vehicle.
But Boston has a large network of emergency care providers that sends units to areas that are understaffed at any particular moment.
The students who work with Pro as "third riders" are required to have CPR certification before joining the program, and must also sign a waiver form releasing Pro from liabilities in case of injury.
According to Bennett, the biggest change in the program during the past five years has been a greater emphasis on teaching CPR skills to interested students at Harvard.
"The way we've changed it is that we've tried to teach CPR more frequently," Bennett says. "We've trained five extra CPR instructors and we'll be teaching the course more next semester."
Bennett also says the courses are open to all members of the Harvard community, not just third riders. The program asks for a $15 donation to cover course expenses, but if students are short on cash they may take the course for free.
"Just because you got an A in orgo doesn't mean you're going to be a good doctor. I think that's why the third rider program is so good."
--Matthew L. Tripp '96-'97