News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Ambulance Mileage Fees Going Up (Update 2)

Ambulance Mileage Fees Going Up (Update 2)

Crest Forest Fire Follows County Lead

By Michael P. Neufeld
Friday, November 28, 2008

Update - Friday 4 a.m.

Crestline, CA - The Crest Forest Fire Protection District has now joined San Bernardino County, and other mountain fire departments, by approving a special rate increase for mileage charges for ambulance services.

The rate hike became effective after the district, headquartered in Crestline, published its decision in a legally adjudicated newspaper. That process has now been completed.

Crest Forest Fire approved raising the rate from $18.26 per mile to $19.37 per mile, and this was attributed to rising gasoline prices.

Crest Forest Fire paramedics treat an unidentified female accident victim on Highway 189 before transporting her to an area hospital. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Update - Monday 4 a.m.

Big Bear City, CA - Directors of the Big Bear City Community Services District have approved a special rate increase for mileage charges for ambulance services.

The fee increases, also adopted by the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District last month, will become effective December 3.

The rate hike, approved earlier this month, increases the rate from $18.26 per mile to $19.37 per mile, and is attributed to rising gasoline prices.

Big Bear City Fire Station No. 2 (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Original Story

San Bernardino, CA - San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors have unanimously approved a special rate increase for mileage charges for ambulance services in the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District.

The rate increase, approved October 28, increases the rate from $18.26 per mile to $19.37 per mile. This will be effective November 1 and will compensate for the increase in fuel costs. The District provides ambulance service, on a fee basis, to six community-based areas within Fire Regional Service Zones throughout the county (Lake Arrowhead, Havasu, Lucerne Valley, Searles Valley, Yucca Valley, and Wrightwood and vicinity).

Station 91 protects the south shore of Lake Arrowhead and is located at 301 State Highway 173. (Photo by San Bernardino County Fire.)

Earlier this month, supervisors approved the same increase in mileage rate charges for ambulance providers in the County, as recommended by Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency (ICEMA). ICEMA sets the rates that private ambulance providers in the county are allowed to charge for services, including mileage. Supervisors ratified that recommendation on October 7.

Recently, the Board of Directors of the Big Bear City Community Services District (CSD) approved the first reading of the ordinance for the rate increase from $18.26 per mile to $19.37 for ambulance services provided by the Big Bear City Fire Department.

The new rate is scheduled for second reading and possible adoption on Monday, November 3. If approved by the CSD board the rate would become effective 30 days after final adoption.

The mileage rate is a component of the total ambulance service charge amount billed to customers, and is paid by insurance providers, or by the customers themselves in cases where insurance companies deny the claim made or when the customer has no insurance.