Naperville may up ambulance fees

Ambulance fees in Naperville may soon be on the rise for the first time in five years.

The Naperville Fire Department will present three options for fee increases tonight to the city council, the largest of which would more than double the charge to transport a resident.

However, the fees still would only pay a fraction of the city's actual cost to provide ambulance service, officials said.

Fire Chief John Wu said the department looked at Medicare reimbursement rates, the average ambulance costs in the Chicago area and the existing resident and nonresident fee structure when putting together its options.

"We simply tried to look at the survey information from the area and discovered we're falling further and further behind and recently Medicare rates were raised again," Wu said.

Naperville residents currently pay $300 for ambulance service in the city, while nonresidents pay $500.

The city's seven ambulances are expected to transport 5,375 patients by the end of the fiscal year. The current fees generate $1.44 million or about 13 percent of the city's actual costs.

City staff is recommending the fees increase to $750 for residents and $900 for nonresidents for patients needing the highest level of care. Fees would be lower for basic care.

The plan would generate an additional $836,000 for the city but still only pay 23 percent of its actual costs. It would allow the city to capture 100 percent of available Medicare funds.

Another option that also creates tiers based on the level of care required would charge up to $550 for residents and $750 for nonresidents, generating an additional $824,000 over the current fees.

The final option does not differentiate between the types of care required. Residents would pay $530 and nonresidents would pay $730. The city would take in $763,000 more than it currently does under that option.

In addition to recommending the highest of the three fee options, city staff also is asking that fees be annually adjusted by the rate of increase in Medicare reimbursement or 3 percent, whichever is higher.

The city council will discuss the issue when it meets at 7 tonight at the municipal center, 400 S. Eagle St. If approved, the rates would go into effect May 1.