Board Of Selectmen Raises Ambulance Rates 3.1 Percent, Down From Last Year's 4 Percent Increase

When it comes to the cost of running an ambulance and making sure it's there when needed, there is no such thing as a free ride.

At Wednesday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting, the board voted 4-1 to raise ambulance rates again this year 3.1 percent to $530 for the use of basic life support, $841 for advanced life support and $868 for level two advanced life support.

Last year saw an increase of four percent in ambulance rates.

The percent increase comes via recommendation from the state to offset the $2 million or so it would cost the department each year – the revenue covers about a third of that cost.

But at what cost does this revenue arrive?

The dissenting vote came from Selectman Barbara Manners, who said it may make people think twice about calling emergency services, even if they need it.

“I guess I have a philosophical problem with it,” Manners said. “I feel the cost should be absorbed by the community as a service the community provides.”

She mentioned senior citizens in particular, who are more likely to call an ambulance and who may need help paying the higher rate.

Fire chief Heather Burford insisted, though, that the department uses a “soft-billing” approach and that help is available if there is a need.

“We don’t want senior citizens not to call because of a concern for the cost,” Burford said. She said that insurance often covers the cost and that town social services are also available to help in the case anyone might have trouble paying.

There is the opposite problem, as well – the department wants to discourage calls from coming in that do not require ambulance assistance. A young mother once called, Burford said, to have her daughter’s sore throat checked.

“It gets back to good education,” Burford said. “We spend a couple times each week on the phone explaining the system, and it’s important for people to understand how it works.”

The cost of medical supplies and fuel for each trip is not cheap – with 65 percent of calls the fire department receives dedicated to EMS services, the revenue helps it maintain a certain level of service.

“Every year we try to improve the quality of the service, and it gets more expensive,” said Selectman Andy Bodner, who is on the fire commission. “My strong view is that this is not a big increase, and for the majority of people covered by insurance who can afford it, it helps us meet that cost.”

Manners was not against charging for the ambulance but said she felt “uncomfortable with the level of the cost.”

“We’re experiencing cost raises everywhere, and this is just a little bit,” First Selectman Rudy Marconi said.

“Taxpayer dollars insure us that services will be there when needed,” Burford added. “We don’t want people to be driving themselves, so we think about health first and money later.”