Private ambulance service with Ryan Thorne

In this conversation, Ryan Thorne shares the surprising world of private EMS—how non-emergency transport keeps the wheels turning, why payer mix matters, and what it actually takes to open your doors. He walks us through licensing, finding a medical director, third-party billing, staffing the first unit (while answering dispatch calls himself), and adding vehicles as demand grew.
We also dig into billing realities (insurance vs. self-pay, hospital “payer of last resort” contracts), lessons from the pandemic slump, and the often-overlooked fact that EMS isn’t legally “essential” in many states. Ryan explains rural 911 response, when helicopters get called, and how counties structure subsidies.
Having recently exited his company, Ryan now consults with ambulance owners nationwide and still serves as a part-time firefighter/paramedic. His biggest advice to his 22-year-old self? Keep going—it will be worth it.

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