On Tuesday February 22nd, the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) announced a proposal to increase what it charges for Emergency Medical Service ambulances. Under the proposal, the price of an ambulance ride will increase from $900 to $1,385, which is a markup of 54%. The per mile charge would also increase from $15 to $20.
The Advanced Life Support Ambulances will also see an increase which will not be as high as the increase of the standard ambulance. The Level 1 Ambulance will increase from $1,525 to $1,680, while the Level 2 Ambulance will see an increase from $1,625 to $1,692. The price increase is most likely to be implemented in the spring.
“The proposed rates in part reflect increases (including recent EMS collective bargaining increases and inflation) in personal services (PS) costs and other than personal services (OTPS) costs required to provide emergency ambulance service,” according to the FDNY’s notice.
The Numbers
The FDNY’s ambulances account for 70% of New York’s hospital transport at a cost of $600 million annually. A price increase will see the Fire Department add $4 million to this fiscal year’s revenue. In the next fiscal year, $16 million in additional revenue will be seen.
The last time the FDNY increased prices for ambulance rides was in 2021, when a 16% increase was implemented. Rides went up from $775 to $900.
Effect on Residents
Oren Barzilay, President of EMS Local 2507, said the FDNY claiming the high ambulance ride increases are due to wage increases for paramedics was “offensive.”
“Our raises were minuscule compared to what other first responders got,” Barzilay told The Post.
“FDNY EMS mainly serves communities of people of color. For us to now pass this increase to the public, especially during times when inflation is so high and everything is so expensive, it shows no regard for what the average person is going through,” he said as he lamented how the proposed increase could affect the average citizen.
Public Hearing
A public hearing for the proposed increases will be held online at 11:00 am on March 24th. Members of the public who wish to share their input may do so through the FDNY’s webpage, via email, or by speaking during the public hearing.
