Think twice before calling an ambulance.
The FDNY hiked the cost May 1 to ride in a standard ambulance to $1,385, up from $900. Furthermore, the per-mile cost has jumped from $15 to $20.
The charges for ambulance service were last increased in January 2021, when they went from $775 to $900.
The FDNY, which held a hearing in March prior to approving the 54% increase, said the rate hike in part reflected the increased salaries being paid EMS workers and inflation. Furthermore, the agency said the rate increase aims to reduce the amount borne by City taxpayers in providing the service.
Nearly 50 public comments were submitted to the FDNY in March, with most in opposition to the increases. A common complaint was that it would be a burden to low-income New Yorkers and senior citizens.
The FDNY, however, said the rate increases would be mitigated for persons with Medicare, Medicaid or private health insurance. Medicaid covers emergency ambulance service with no out-of-pocket expense to recipients, while Medicare also covers emergency ambulance service. Furthermore, private health insurance policies typically cover emergency ambulance services, although there are deductibles.
Costs for advanced life support emergency ambulances, which are staffed by more highly-trained paramedics who can perform more advanced procedures, also went up Monday, to about $1,700. The $20 per mile cost also applies.
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