By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Great Bend Fire Chief Luke McCormick had staff look into the city’s
current ambulance service fees. The fire and EMS staff found out 2014 was the
last time the fees were adjusted. Medical costs have only gone up during that
time, so the Great Bend City Council approved a motion to adopt an ordinance establishing
increased fees for ambulance services.
McCormick said his department reached
out to 16 area communities and realized the city’s rates were significantly
less.
"Blue Cross Blue Shield would allow more for the charge," said McCormick. "We felt it was time to raise the rates. We have the lowest rates in Barton County."
The Great Bend Fire/EMS has several levels of ambulance services including
Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS), but a basic ambulance
emergency call will go from $450 to $600. The different levels of emergency and
non-emergency calls all factor into varying charges to the patient.
BLS Non-emergency
Old Fee: $375 -- New Fee: $425
BLS Emergency
Old Fee: $450 -- New Fee: $600
ALS Non-emergency
Old Fee: $425 -- New Fee: $475
ALS Emergency
Old Fee: $575 -- New Fee: $750
ALS2 - Advanced ALS
Old Fee: $700 -- New Fee: $900
Non-emergency without drugs or transport after 3 in one year
Old Fee: $50 -- New Fee: $100
In addition to the charges associated to the ambulance services, a mileage charge of $13.50 per mile will increase to $15.