Buffalo Grove approves hike in ambulance costs

Buffalo Grove trustees Monday approved a hike in the fees the village charges to recover costs for providing emergency medical service and ambulance service to both residents and nonresidents.

But trustees and village officials emphasized that none of those charges will be passed on to residents.

Village staff recommended the adjustment after reviewing what is being charged by departments from other towns.

"This would get our fees in line with the fees that are currently charged to all of the departments that are served by the Northwest Community Hospital trauma system," said Village Manager William Brimm.

He pointed out that insurance companies, not residents, will be charged. Residents will not be required to pick up any balance not covered by insurance. Nor will uninsured residents have to pay, he added.

"In other words, this really seeks only reimbursement from insurance. It doesn't ask our residents to reach in their pocket to pay," Trustee Jeffrey Berman said.

Nonresidents, however, will be billed for any amount not covered by insurance.

The increases range from $25 to $100. The lowest fee for residents will be $425, up from $325, while the highest will be $600, up from $575. For nonresidents, the range will be $575, up from $500, to $900. Also, the mileage fee for both residents and nonresidents will be raised from $6.05 to $7.50 per mile. The estimated revenue from the increased fees is more than $145,000, based on the 596 nonresident and the 1,323 resident calls received in 2008.

One new fee of $150 was approved, to be charged nonresidents who refuse treatment when emergency medical personnel are called to a scene.

The ordinance becomes effective on May 1. It replaces an ordinance that was passed in 2006.