I take care of an elderly client whose health has went down a lot this last year. He has had to go call an ambulance a few times this last month. 2 wks ago, they looked annoyed walking in. As I started telling 1 what was going on, as my client was slurring words, they walked right past me, totally ignoring me. They don't ask him much, just get him ready to go. He tells them he needs to go to St. Joes because he's on dialysis and they argue with him about it before giving up. They were annoyed with him and you could tell. I bit my tongue that time. A cpl wks later, same paramedic, Nick, comes, that annoyed look. He asks what's going on, client tells him, Nick then tries to talk him out of going, saying What do you want them to do? I chime in saying I Think he has an infection and I cannot clean the area good enough because hes in so much pain. He cuts me off, puts his hand up, tells me he's been dealing with my client for 10 years. I said I don't care, that means nothing. You are so rude when you come here, he keeps putting his hand up, not listening to me explain what the issue is. I said maybe you should look at the wound before telling a patient they shouldn't go to the hospital. Elderly people go to the hospital a lot and if you get annoyed by that, you shouldn't be a paramedic. Thankfully, my client listened to me and he went and I was right. Now he has actual medication and is starting to get better. I have never dealt with a paramedic that rude, that is trying to get someone not to go to the hospital without even checking the wound out, or one that that acted as if the person caring for the patient is irrelevant. If you think you know him so well, because you have given him 10 minute rides to the hospital, then you should see how bad he is doing and I understand if you might think he's a hypochondriac always running to the hospital, that you won't even listen to the person taking care of him, who has probably spent more time with him this last week, than all of your rides in 10 years. I can imagine how they treated him times that I wasn't there. Do better! Train your paramedics how to talk to people and treat people. They aren't doctors!! If you have elderly people in your life, be there or have a camera there for when they have to call the ambulance to make sure they are being treated well. I bet you will be disgusted by what you see! read more

The EMTs and paramedics are great. I only have positive things to say about them. However, I don't know if the billing is done by a parent company or a contractor, but they are the worst. A bill came when my son had to go to the ER at 5 months old. I called to give them our insurance information. They said they would submit the claim and send us a bill for the copay. I never heard anything again. Apparently, neither did my insurance. This morning, we received a collections letter addressed to son. He is now fourteen months old. They have his date of birth. I never got a second bill. I never got a phone call. My insurance never received a claim. Now they're not returning my calls. The collections agency almost caught the full force of my furry, but they were way more helpful than the ambulance company. What is wrong with these people? read more

While being a Person of greater mass and poor health, I tend to require that extra bit of care. Instead what I get is Judgement and Verbal and Emotional Abuse. And that is if they take me to the Hospital at all. Most of the Abuse I receive is from two to three personnel that have put in many years of work for this company. I would give them a 'Thank-you'... but they could be politer and more helpful. read more

Back in April my husband called the ambulance. I had a 103.3 fever, body aches, vomiting for 4 days. I was sitting on our bench and the EMTs stood 10-15ft away. They told my husband to give me soup and I'll be ok in the morning. They also told me as I was vomiting that there were "infected" people at Mad River Hospital and if I went, I would get sick as well. I got in our van and yelled for my to drive me. Again, I was told by the EMT he really didn't want to take me and again mentioned "infected people" and "getting sick". We drove ourselves to the hospital where I was admitted and later told the diverticulitis I had burst a sac and I had SEPSIS. I was very sick snd had I waited another day, I might not be here. Now after that I receive bills for $350 for their EMT refusing to take me to the hospital? For using scare tactics so I wouldn't go? We called the ambulance company who said they'd review it and get back to us, which they never did. After several calls, I wrote what happened on the back of their "demand of payment". To this day I have heard nothing from Mad River Ambulance. I have received letters from a collection company which go right into the trash. I refuse to pay these people a dime. Period. read more

Monopoly price gouging since acquired by GMR. Identical ambulance trips $892.00 prior to acquisition, $2242.00 only 9 months later after GMR acquired them. read more

Sad to say, but this EMT/paramedics service is not worth anyone's time and if in fact one does need the service, I pray for the poor soul! Not only have I witnessed the drivers almost run other people over, they almost ran into myself as I was walking to the plaza from my own neighborhood. Additionally, they roam the neighboring streets of Arcata night and day, only to turn on the sirens to gun through one of the ONLY street lights in the city as well as never abide by any of the speeding limits (EVEN WHEN CHILDREN AND ANIMALS ARE PRESENT). When asked regarding accountability, there isn't a real response and I fear that most of the staff are on something or another! Like I said before, I hope you don't EVER have to use their services b/c I fear for your well being! read more

It's too bad a zero star rating doesn't exist. Their customer service is absolutely horrid and they informed me that I had no idea what I was talking about (I'm a claims specialist) and they informed me they have no problem sending people to collections and they can do whatever they want because they're not contracted with any insurance companies. I hope this company goes out of business, it does more harm than good. read more

I can't thank this AMAZING service enough for all they did for me. While I was at work I had this accident and needed medical assistance. My boss called and they were there with in MINUTES. I didn't catch his name but the tall, dark and handsome one with glasses really came through and held my hand the entire time until we got to the hospital. This is definitely a service id recommend. read more

They were sent, against my consent, to the scene of a minor accident. After asking some very simple questions, they spent more time taking down my information (to bill me, I realize now) than helping me. I later received a bill for $200. For a service I did not need and specifically said I did not want. They were absolutely unwilling to do anything about it when I called them. In my city this service is provided for free. The driver was uninsured and homeless so I can't count on any money from them. Basically I just got hit with a $200 fine for being hit by a truck. Thanks. Also special shout out to the 911 dispatcher who sent out an ambulance that was not requested and would cost me money. Edit: So, I'm less angry about this now. It's not really their fault the 911 operator sent them even though I asked them not to, and upon further research it's apparently fairly common for emergency response teams to be private and send you a bill. At the time it just seemed really shady. That said, they were fast and professional, but I think they should have informed me that I would be billed for the service if I accepted any help. I signed a document, which I'm sure now said I agreed to pay, but they told me that all it was was showing I had declined a ride to the hospital. read more

We can't say enough about the fast, professional service received from Arcata Ambulance. They knew exactly what to do and were clear in their communication of what was happening and what to expect. read more

The Paramedics were great and very professional. They took good care of me. Thank you to Arcata Mad River Hospital for being there when I needed you read more