Arlington Heights will increase its ambulance transport fee by 275 percent, though officials say only uninsured nonresidents who use an ambulance while in town would actually have to pay the higher fees.
As of Nov. 1, the village will charge $1,500 per transport and add a charge of $12 per mile -- though deductibles, co-payments, mileage or other associated costs for village residents would be waived under a plan approved by the village board this week. That means a nonresident who isn't covered by insurance, Medicare or Medicaid would have to pay the fee, though Deputy Fire Chief Bernie Lyons said the village would take a "compassionate approach" to the collection of fees.
Officials say patients who claim a hardship would be directed to the village's emergency assistance program. Those who provide a hardship letter from their hospital could get a write-off, as is currently the case with homeless patients.