Council Considers 20% Hike in Ambulance Fees

Emergency ambulance fees would increase by about 20% if the Los Angeles City Council passes a plan aimed at recovering more of the cost of medical services.

The higher fees--for everything from basic life support to traction splints--were proposed after a recent study that found the city charges less than the county for the same services.

The proposal also follows a July decree by Mayor Richard Riordan for city officials to adjust all fees to reflect an increase in the cost of living and materials.

But city officials say that most people should not feel the pinch because ambulance fees are usually covered by health insurance. Officials acknowledge privately that the city does not try hard to collect from patients who do not have insurance.

Although council members have expressed concern that low-income residents won’t be able to afford the increases, the council is expected to adopt them Friday.

“The fees have not been adjusted for four or five years,” said Roger Gillis, battalion chief for the city Fire Department. “We are trying to get in parity with other cities and the county.”

Under the increases, the fees for basic life support treatment and transportation to a hospital would rise from $147 to $173. That is in addition to a mileage fee of $10.75 per mile, up from the previous $6.38 per mile.

The cost of oxygen would increase from $20 to $36.

The city would also add some new fees, such as $53.75 for the cost of a cervical collar to stabilize possible neck injuries.

In contrast, Los Angeles County, which contracts with private ambulance firms, charges up to $402 for basic life support treatment and transportation.

Two years ago, Councilwoman Laura Chick launched an effort to more aggressively collect unpaid ambulance fees. Under her plan, the city spent $538,000 to hire a team of nine clerks and bill collectors.

Before the unit was hired, the Fire Department collected only 50% of its unpaid fees, mostly due to bills sent to the wrong address or left unpaid because of incorrect insurance information, city officials said.

In nine months, the bill collection unit produced $2 million.

In last year’s city budget, Riordan recommended that the city adjust the fees to reflect increases in the cost of living. He also included funding to hire the collection unit on a full-time basis.

Together, the increases and the more aggressive bill collection effort are expected to increase city revenues from $15.2 million to $17.2 million annually.