The cost of calling an ambulance in the Chicago area

The Better Government Association recently published an article detailing the various ambulance fees imposed by numerous fire departments and municipal authorities across the Chicago area. Once a common practice, free ambulance rides have become increasingly scarce in Cook County, according to their analysis of approximately 130 fire departments in the region. The article also highlights the wide variation in ambulance fees, standards, and billing practices among different communities. Emergency transport fees can range anywhere from $0 to $2,587, depending on factors such as the level of care provided, the patient's residency status, and other considerations. These fees are now a staple due to financially strapped towns and cities relying on these "user fees" to offset emergency service expenses and generate additional revenue to avoid or mitigate local tax hikes. For instance, in Cook County, a "Basic Life Support" (BLS) ride might cost residents between $0 and $1,200, averaging at around $587. BLS services usually involve basic care like CPR, splinting fractures, or managing bleeding. Non-residents, who are often billed higher rates, face BLS fees ranging from $365.42 to $1,400, with an average of $732. "Advanced Life Support" (ALS) fees are even pricier, varying from $0 to $1,900 for residents and $433 to $2,587 for non-residents. ALS is divided into two tiers, offering more advanced care such as cardiac monitoring and administering medications. Notably, the City of Chicago charges residents $900 for BLS, $1,050 for standard ALS care, and $1,200 for more complex ALS services, plus an additional $17 per mile traveled and $25 for oxygen usage. Non-residents incur an extra $100 fee. Billing policies differ just as much as the rates themselves. Some agencies accept insurance payments in full, while others send patients the remaining balance and, in certain cases, hire collection agencies to recover unpaid debts. Among the highest ambulance rates in Cook County are those seen in areas like Alsip, where BLS fees start at $700 for residents and go up to $800 for non-residents. In stark contrast, a few municipalities like Forest View, McCook, and Rosemont still provide free ambulance services to residents, although non-residents receive bills. Medicare introduced a standardized rate schedule in 2002, which adjusts annually based on inflation. Regardless of what providers charge, Medicare reimburses according to its own rates, which fall between $367.32 and $436.20 per transport. Since Medicare is the largest payer for ambulance services, local government-set fees have become less impactful. Notably, Forest View, McCook, and Rosemont remain the only locations in Cook County that do not charge residents for ambulance services (non-residents, however, will be billed). In conclusion, the landscape of ambulance services in the Chicago area is marked by significant variation in pricing and policy. As local governments continue to seek sustainable funding solutions, residents and visitors alike should be aware of the potential costs associated with emergency medical transportation.

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