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Does anyone know how much these medical exams for DMV's DL 51 form cost? I am seeking EMS employment- so I don't have an employer to pay for it unfortunately. It doesn't seem like my insurance will cover this exam. My insurance doesn't know if they will pay because I don't have a ICD# (billing code) for them. The various doctors office's I have called can't give me a billing code because their billing service "handles" it, and they won't give me the number to call their billing services because I am not a patient. Is anyone familiar with out of pocket cost for this in the SF Bay Area or suggestions to go about this? I don't really want to get stuck out-of-pocket for $500! Thanks

Does anyone know how much these medical exams for DMV's DL 51 form cost? I am seeking EMS employment- so I don't have an employer to pay for it unfortunately. It doesn't seem like my insurance will cover this exam. My insurance doesn't know if they will pay because I don't have a ICD# (billing code) for them. The various doctors office's I have called can't give me a billing code because their billing service "handles" it, and they won't give me the number to call their billing services because I am not a patient. Is anyone familiar with out of pocket cost for this in the SF Bay Area or suggestions to go about this? I don't really want to get stuck out-of-pocket for $500! Thanks

JWRAIDER: I won't say where I was other than it was in the SF Bay area. I don't want to implicate anyone or any agency. Im only speaking from a handful of ride alongs that I went on anyway. For what my rookie perspective is worth I thought that all of the people I worked with were pretty committed. Some were having bad days, some tellin' like it is, some were just fed up, and others I prompted just because I wanted to hear the good and the bad . All in all they were good people and I don't think I saw anyone providing compromised care. I should mention that one of the biggest gripes, especially from the older guys, was always affirmative action, although that would need another thread! Down with you dirty Raiders anyway! The 49ers are going all the way to the superbowl this year- that is how I delude myself at the beginning of each season anyhow! Toutdoors: One thing they do not teach us in EMT classes are politics and structure. Im not sure I understand the meaning of "fired based EMS" and all that comes with it. My understanding is that the paramedic is on the engine. Is this correct? What are the pros & cons of this? bigj1130: How did you end up working 120 hr weeks? What were the circumstances-RE: how does the overtime list work? That's crazy but better than a corporate cube...believe me. VentMedic: Salute! I know what you guys do and that the ER's can be full on dumping stations at times. What you guys handle is definitely not easy. I don't think surgery or ICU would be easy either, especially in big city settings. Again, thanks for all of the feedback guys. It really helps hearing your opinions. My main goal is to get into the FD. If I were to become a paramedic to expedite that I would definitely be doing it at 100%. I wanted to join the FD right out of college but parental obligations sent me elsewhere. Ive always wanted to do it and at this point Ive spent plenty of time in the corporate world marketing shit that people don't need, or tracking how much shit those people bought but didn't need, and versions thereof. I would much rather make a difference and be in more diverse environments. I think I have the academic ability and the aptitude, and fortitude for the job. I guess my last question would be to the FF's on 24 shifts. How do your wives/girlfriends handle the nights alone? Im sure there are going to be plenty of smart ass comments here LOL! Seriously though, some wives are afraid to be home alone with the kids, the kids don't understand why you're gone, or you're to fatigued to make quality time with kids/wife on off time etc. How do you guys deal with the stuff and what else am I missing regarding this? J

Thanks for the feedback guys. I guess I should have mentioned that my ultimate goal is to get into the Fire Dept. Early on I hadn't thought of becoming a paramedic until some mentors said it would give me a better shot getting in the dept. I liked my EMT class and the ride alongs so I thought I would like being a paramedic & it might help me get into the FD sooner. I have been entertaining the paramedic path and doing a lot of research. Other guys have said that it will get me in sooner but not to do it unless Im 100% on being a paramedic for good. I guess they were suggesting that I could get stuck permanently as a paramedic within the FD??? Somewhere else I read that on average paramedics burnout and hit the road after 8 years. So, all of this burnout stuff has made me a bit sheepish and has me looking at the RN path as well. Most are saying that RN's get paid way better and have way better working conditions- obviously!. Im a little confused by the 'too many hours' comments that Ive heard. In the SF Bay Area most of the paramedics work 4 day tens. Do you guys get that much mandatory overtime that it turns into 60 & 70 hour weeks? And those of you responding- how many years do have in as a paramedic? At 36 my next career move has to be for good so Im trying get all of the answers I can. Hey, I just want to be a firefighter- me and the other 9,999 guys that showed up to Oakland Fire last January! Thanks for all of your feedback guys.

Hi all. I am a recent grad from a EMT-B program. I enjoyed the classroom learning as well as the ride-alongs. I didn't really understand how significant off an issue burnout was until my ride -alongs where some of the paramedics would complain when there peers were not around. I heard some of it but I still feel like I have only half the story.So lay it on the table all of you paramedics. I want to know the downs of being a paramedic aside from the usual long hours. At least here in the SF Bay Area a lot of paramedics are pulling $100k plus. Im hoping some of you guys can talk freely in anonymity here so I can make a more informed decision before moving further with this. Thanks for your input.