Cleveland EMS has substantially raised billing rates for ambulance services, marking the first fee increase in nearly two decades.
As of July 1, the new rates billed to insurers for ambulance runs is between roughly $750 and $1,300. That’s more than double the previous base rates that were between $350 and $500.
Mileage rates were also boosted from $10 per mile to $16.
A spokeswoman for Mayor Justin Bibb said the higher rates are expected to generate an extra $1.2 million for the city each year, which will help cover the costs of providing ambulance service.
Cleveland based the new rates, in part, on fees charged by comparable cities and current reimbursement rates of Medicaid and Medicare, whose patients comprise a large share of ambulance runs within the city. As recently as 2019, Medicare rates were between $353 and $607.
Prior to the July increase, Cleveland was charging less than the Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement rate for two types of ambulance runs, meaning the city was losing out on essentially guaranteed money from the federal government.
The union representing EMS workers, Cleveland Association of Rescue Employees, flagged the previously-low rates as a cause for concern this spring, shortly after Bibb took office, and after years of unsuccessfully lobbying for an increase under the prior administration. The union argued that Cleveland’s failure to raise rates since around 2004 meant the city was over-subsidizing the Division of EMS and increasingly failing to recoup the rising costs of medication, supplies, salaries, fuel and vehicles needed to provide emergency care.
City Councilman Charles Slife in April described the old rates as “laughably low,” saying they were “a steal” for private insurance companies, who are largely willing to pay more than the Medicare reimbursement rate.
A 2019 analysis by the city’s Finance Department backed up those concerns, finding Cleveland’s old rates were “well below” the $600 to $850 other local ambulance services were charging, and “well below” what peer cities charge, including Columbus ($580 to $985), Cincinnati ($980 to $1,760) and Pittsburgh ($700 to $900).
That 2019 analysis also recommended the city waive coinsurance billings for some senior and disabled patients, so they would not have to foot the balance not covered by Medicare. Under the new fee structure, the city is not waiving those payments, though Bibb’s spokeswoman noted that a financial assistance program is available for patients who fall within the federal government’s poverty guidelines.
The analysis further recommended the city start charging a $150 fee for instances in which an ambulance is dispatched, but the patient ultimately refuses transportation. The city has never charged for such ambulance runs, and it isn’t starting now, but officials may reconsider that decision in the future after conducting more research, Bibb’s spokeswoman said.
Test post
Israel's interior ministry says it has deported a Palestinian-French human rights lawyer after accusing him of security threats. Salah Hamouri, 37, was escorted onto a flight to France by police early on Sunday morning, the ministry said. A lifelong resident of...
Salah Hammouri: Israel deports Palestinian lawyer to France
Israel's interior ministry says it has deported a Palestinian-French human rights lawyer after accusing him of security threats. Salah Hamouri, 37, was escorted onto a flight to France by police early on Sunday morning, the ministry said. A lifelong resident of...
Najib Mikati promises justice for Irish UN peacekeeper killed in Lebanon
Lebanon is determined to uncover the circumstances that led to the killing of an Irish UN peacekeeper, caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati said during a visit to the headquarters of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) on Friday. Private Sean Rooney, 23, was...
Submit your event
We will be happy to share your events. Please email us the details and pictures at publish@profilenewsohio.com
Address
P.O. Box: 311001 Independance, Ohio, 44131
Call Us
+1 (216) 269 3272
Email Us
Publish@profilenewsohio.com