Carpentersville hikes ambulance service fee

Carpentersville residents will soon pay more to use the village's ambulance services.

Village trustees on Tuesday approved the first ambulance fee increases since 2005.

The new fees, which go into effect May 1, are needed to cover service costs and could add $100,000 in revenue per year based on a 67 percent collection rate, village officials said.

Trustees approved the new fees 6 to 1. Trustee Paul Humpfer dissented.

"I do not want people to not use the ambulance because they have to make a financial decision whether they can afford to transport a family member to the hospital," said Humpfer, who cited unpaid ambulance bills as a catalyst for an ordinance targeting illegal immigrants.

Under the new rates, residents who now pay $200 would pay $250 for basic care and $350 for advanced services.

Fee increases are steeper for nonresidents.

Nonresidents requiring basic care will pay $500, up from $400. Advanced services for non-residents that cost $500 to $600, will go up to $600 to $700.

A $36 mileage fee also will be added to each trip to one of the three hospitals serving the village -- Sherman and Provena St Joseph's hospitals in Elgin and St Alexis Hospital in Hoffman Estates.

If a patient is not transported, no fee is applied.

"We believe this is fair," Fire Chief John Schuldt said. "This is a user fee so the costs of using an ambulance are not passed along to everyone -- only those who use the services."

This year, village officials estimate ambulance fees will generate $350,000, with that sum reaching $450,000 when the new fees are applied.

Schuldt said that amount would cover only a portion of the costs needed to provide services.

"We have $520,000-worth in ambulances, then we spend about $40,000 in diesel and gasoline each year," Schuldt said. "This in no way will cover half or a third of the costs. It will help offset a portion."

Village officials surveyed 20 local communities to help determine the new fees.

Out of 13 responses, Schuldt said Carpentersville's increased fees for residents ranks third lowest, while the new rates for nonresidents falls mid pack.