THE NEWS DESK
The News Desk is a collection of news, notes and breaking items affecting the Fredericksburg community.
Ambulance fee could increase in Spotsylvania
BY JEFF BRANSCOME
Spotsylvania County may become the second Fredericksburg-area locality this year to increase fees for ambulance service.
But Spotsylvania residents shouldn’t notice the higher rates, County Administrator Doug Barnes said.
Insurance providers are billed for ambulance trips. If the companies don’t cover the entire cost, residents will not have to pay the balance, Barnes said.
“Usually, whatever we get from the insurance company is what we take,” he said.
And the county has a compassionate billing policy that waives the fees for eligible patients without insurance.
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to approve the new amounts on Tuesday after a 6:30 p.m. public hearing.
The proposed increases are:
$400 to $500 for basic life support.
$500 to $600 for advanced life support level 1.
$675 to $800 for advanced life support level 2.
All of those trips would also include an $11.50 fee per transport mile, which is $1.50 more than the current cost.
The county estimates it will collect an additional $75,000 a year with the new fees.
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors approved similar increases to ambulance fees earlier this year.
Stafford charges $12 per transport mile and $650 for advanced life support level 1. Its other fees, for basic life support and advanced life support level 2, are the same as those Spotsylvania is proposing.
Stafford and Spotsylvania have similar billing procedures and policies.
Spotsylvania residents should contact the Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management if they receive a bill for ambulance service, Barnes said.
“If something happens, and they do get a bill, they need to contact us,” he said.
Jeff Branscome: 540/374-5402
Permalink: http://news.fredericksburg.com/newsdesk/2012/08/09/ambulance-fee-could-increase-in-spotsylvania-2/
