FDNY Proposes Ambulance Fee Hikes as Labor Costs, Inflation Drive Increases

The Fire Department of New York is proposing significant increases to ambulance and emergency medical service fees, citing rising operational costs and anticipated wage increases for union workers, as reported by The New York Post.

Under the proposal, the cost of an ambulance ride through the 911 system would rise by 29%, while charges for “treatment in place” services would increase by 42%. The department outlined the rationale in a statement accompanying the proposal.

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“The Fire Department is proposing this rule because of increased costs and to help offset the City’s cost of providing these services,” the FDNY said.

“The proposed rates reflect increases in personal services costs and other than personal service costs required to provide emergency ambulance services and have been calculated to reduce the portion of such costs that is currently borne by City taxpayers.”

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The proposed changes would mark the first increase in medical transport fees since May 2023. The labor contract for EMS workers has expired, and the department anticipates pay raises under a future agreement.

If approved, the cost of a standard or “basic life support” ambulance ride would increase from $1,385 to $1,793. Charges for “treatment in place” services would rise from $630 to $896.

Fees for advanced life support services would also increase. Level 1 life support trips would go from $1,680 to $2,196, while Level 2 services would increase from $1,692 to $2,012.

The per-mile charge for transport to a hospital would remain at $20, and the cost for administering oxygen would remain $66.

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The FDNY said the proposed rates are based on projected labor costs using existing collective bargaining patterns with other city unions, as negotiations with EMS workers remain unresolved.

“The rates do not necessarily reflect the amounts accepted by the Fire Department as payment for ambulance treatment and transport services from government and private health insurance plans,” the department said.

Labor unions representing emergency medical personnel have raised concerns about compensation disparities compared to other first responders. Union leaders said those differences have contributed to staffing shortages and longer response times.

“The City may be increasing what it charges for ambulance service, but unless it addresses the massive pay disparities for EMTs and paramedics — who are mostly Black, Hispanic, and women — it won’t have enough trained medical personnel to operate or provide emergency care on those ambulances,” said Oren Barzilay, president of Local 2507, and Vincent Variale, head of Local 621 of the Uniformed Emergency Medical Service Officers Union.

“Outrageous pay disparities are forcing EMS workers to leave the service because they simply cannot survive on their current pay,” they said.

“1,500 medical first responders – 37% of the workforce – are projected to quit the service in 2026. And because EMS is hemorrhaging personnel, response times are up.

“The entire emergency response system is pushed to the edge, and New York City is facing a literal life-and-death crisis as a result.”

Union officials said they are seeking action from Mayor Zohran Mamdani to address compensation issues for EMS workers relative to other city employees.

A public hearing on the proposed ambulance fee increases is scheduled for May 15.

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