Cost of ambulance ride may go up in EDC

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors this month will consider raising the ambulance billing rates on both sides of the county.

Through a joint powers agreement Lake Valley and South Lake Tahoe fire departments operate the ambulance service on the California side of the South Shore.

A consultant who looked at what the county charges insurance companies, Medi-Cal, Medicare and private payers is recommending an increase of about 28 percent.

El Dorado County last adjusted its rates in 2010.

“We are hopeful that if the county passes the increase, that some of the additional revenue it would generate would pass through to our two JPAs,” Gareth Harris, Lake Valley fire chief, told Lake Tahoe News.

The county is not obligated to make this an automatic pass through to the two JPAs because there are already established contracts in place.

“I was advised that the recommended rate by the consultant still puts El Dorado County below the median rate and below the threshold private insurance companies feel is reasonable for advanced life support ambulance transportation,” Harris said.

There will be a public hearing on the matter before the Board of Supervisors on Nov. 17 at 11am in Placerville.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report