Board OKs Ambulance Fee Hike

The Romeoville Village Board on Wednesday approved a new ambulance fee schedule aimed at recouping costs from insurance providers.

The changes mark the first time in nearly a decade that the village has altered its ambulance fees. The last time the prices were changed was back in 2002, Mayor John Noak said.

“Really, our goal is to maximize the reimbursement rate from insurance,” Noak said.

Fire Chief Kent Adams said recent changes to Medicare mean the current rates aren't allowing the village to recapture many of the costs associated with ambulance transport.

"Health care costs have definitely escalated since 2002," Adams added. "That's another reason we need this."

The fees increase the costs for basic life support (BLS) and level one advance life support (ALS-1) for residents by $150, and level two advanced life support (ALS-2) for more serious patients like those in need of onboard emergency procedures by $200. The BLS rate for non-residents increases by $225.

For the first time, the village will impose a auto extrication fee of $700 for residents and $800 for non-residents, but dropped a fee charged to patients who receive treatment only but end up not being transported.

The plan also implements a mileage fee for hospital transport of $10 for residents, a $5 increase since 2002. For non-residents, the fee will increase $1 to $10 per mile.

Noak stressed that the increased fees will not be felt by residents but by insurance providers.

"It's not to go after residents," he said. "Most of these costs will never be seen by residents."

"Whatever insurance doesn't cover, we will write off," Trustee Jose Chavez said. 

Here's a side-by-side comparison of the new and old rates.

How does Romeoville compare?

Citing a survey conducted by the Naperville Fire Department, Adams said Romeoville's new fee schedule is "right smack average" compared to what neighboring districts charge.

Here's a look at what area fire departments charge for ambulance transport: