Okay, that sounds right, regular check up, every 3 months. I don't mean to question rather than help, but... can't the person doing the check make arrangements to replace the battery? Where was the PM installed originally? Seems it was done before you moved (out) to the desert.
Can you arrange to travel somewhere for a routine battery replacement? From what I have read here I take it replacement isn't often.
What kind of hospital ir Ridgecrest, religious, community...