Starting next year, Albemarle County residents will pay for ambulance services.
At their Wednesday meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved these proposed fees:
-Basic Life Support: $350
-Advanced Life Support Level 1 (patient who requires assessment and treatment by ALS technicians): $450
-Advanced Life Support Level 2 (patient who requires defibrillation, pacing, intubation): $550
– Ground Transport Miles: $8.50/mile
According to staff reports, these fees are comparable to those of neighboring counties and are meant as a means of revenue recovery.
According to the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad (CARS) released statement, the supervisors have asked volunteer rescue squads that operate in Albemarle County to change for services in accordance to the plan.
“Members of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad (CARS) have since early this fall been conducting our annual fund drive, which has become more challenging during the current economic downturn. This fund drive covers the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, so the needs covered by the current drive are immediate. While many residents have been generous in their donations, we must remain focused at this time on completing our drive successfully so that our services and equipment needs can be fully funded,” the statement reads.
“Accordingly, while Albemarle County has indicated it plans to begin its revenue recovery efforts on February 1, 2010, CARS has not decided if, or under what circumstances, we would participate in a revenue recovery plan. We will continue to cooperate with Albemarle County and all other emergency services partners in providing outstanding emergency medical transport and rescue services to our area residents.”
