Indiana County Considers New Ambulance Fees for EMS

Delaware County residents who use ambulances could soon be able to get a subscription to a service that will write off the costs not covered by insurance.

The move to offer the Delaware Care service comes as county commissioners prepare to raise ambulance fees, in some cases for the first time since the 1980s, The Star Press reported.

The new rates vary from $550 for basic life support to $1,200 for the highest level of advanced life support. Delaware County EMS also plans to raise to $100 an hour the amount it charges for standing by at public events.

“I still think we’re very competitive,” said EMS director Jason Rogers.

The new fees go toward EMS operations.

The subscription service will cost $25 a year for an individual and $75 for a family.

“You can purchase your enrollment for a year,” he said. “If you call an ambulance, when you get the bill, we would write off what’s not covered by insurance.”

Other EMS services will continue to be provided at no cost, such as checks on diabetics with health emergencies and responses to falls if a person declines transport.

County commissioners have given initial approval to the new fee structure. Final approval could come at the panel’s Nov. 17 meeting.