County forums to address coming EMS fees

By: Daily Progress Staff Reports | Daily Progress
Published: January 24, 2010

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Albemarle County officials are hosting public forums in coming weeks to inform residents about the ambulance fees going into effect next month.

Of the county’s five rescue squads, the Scottsville Volunteer Rescue Squad, as well as the county-operated Hollymead and Monticello squads, have agreed to charge fees beginning Feb. 1 and are estimated to collect $450,000 per year toward EMS expenses.

No one will be denied EMS treatment or transport based on ability to pay. The county has adopted a “compassionate billing” system in which those who cannot afford to pay will not have to. The county — which plans to charge residents $350 to $550, plus $8.50 per mile traveled — expects to recover money mostly from insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid, which usually pay for ambulance transports.
The public forums about EMS cost recovery will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Hollymead Elementary School and at 7 p.m. Feb. 3 at Monticello High School.