A proposed increase for ambulance service
By Paul Hall on Thursday, March 11th, 2021 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – The City of La Grande held a work session this week with the Fire Department to discuss potential fee increases for ambulance services. There have been no increases since 2009 and the cost of supplies and equipment has increased significantly. There was a proposal to have different rates for resident and non-residents, which is a common practice. The City of La Grande residents support ambulance service through property taxes, so the rates for residents would be lower than the non-resident rates. Rates for non-residents would apply to any patient that does not reside in the City of La Grande.
The reimbursement rates for Medicare and Medicaid patients are capped, so the City would accept the amount reimbursed by Medicare and Medicaid as full payment and the remainder is written off. This is one area that the City subsidizes the costs for those on fixed incomes.
The City Council will vote on the proposed increase during their April Council meeting.
