EFR will examine new fees
May 22, 2009
By Ari Cetron
New May 22 11:09 a.m.
Eastside Fire & Rescue is in the early stages of a study that could lead to charging residents for emergency transportation to area hospitals.
For the policy to be implemented, it would require approval of the EFR board.
“We’re just starting a discussion,” said Deputy Chief Jeff Griffin. “This is more of an economic exercise at this point.”
Like public agencies around the region, and the country, EFR is looking for ways to raise money in tight economic times. Griffin said the idea has been discussed in the past, but has been rejected by the board.
“But we’ve never seen an economy like this,” he said.
Charging for emergency transport is becoming increasingly common around the nation. Other fire departments in the area are also considering implementing the fees, Griffin said.
Although EFR does not charge for transporting patients, some injured people in the area are already paying for an ambulance ride.
In the EFR area — which includes Sammamish, Issaquah, North Bend, Carnation and portions of unincorporated King County — when someone needs to be transported to a hospital, EFR will sometimes call in AMR, a contract ambulance company.
EFR began the contract with AMR in 2007. Since then, they’ve seen the number of times they need to transport patients drop by almost a third.
In 2006, the last full year before the contract began, EFR transported 1,592 patients. In 2008, EFR transported 1,095 people, according to a report prepared by Griffin.
EFR responders assess the situation before deciding if they will need to call in the ambulance company.
They consider a list of factors, first being the safety of the person. Then they consider if transporting the person in an EFR vehicle will leave the agency understaffed.
“If we’re available, we transport,” said Chief Lee Soptich.
If EFR transports the person, there is no cost. If AMR transports the injured person, they will bill them directly.
Often, health insurance will pay at least a portion of the cost for AMR. Griffin said AMR’s fees change depending on the level of care needed and the distance transported. He estimated them to average around $700.
AMR’s fee schedule gives discounts for some income levels and is free to people whose income is at or below the federally established poverty line, Griffin said.
In King County, Bothell’s fire department is the only government agency which charges, said Lisa Allen, Bothell Fire Department spokeswoman. She said, however, it is common in Snohomish County.
Bothell charges a flat fee of $400 for transport and basic medical services. Medical insurance typically pays a portion of that fee, Allen said. Bothell residents are not asked to pay the difference, but people from other areas are, Allen said.
Bothell also has a policy of not sending unpaid fees to collection agencies if the person is unable to pay, Allen said.
EFR has no amount or policy in mind, yet, Griffin said.
EFR is contacting other fire agencies in the area and studying their success rate with billing.
Griffin said he hopes to present the information to the EFR board for discussion in the next few months.
Editor Ari Cetron can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 233, or samrev@isspress.com.
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