OKC City Council Grants EMSA Rate Increase For Patient Rides

A call for help will soon put a bigger dent in your finances.

Tuesday, EMSA was granted a rate increase from the Oklahoma City City Council. The transport rate was raised from $1,100 to $1,300.

EMSA said it needed the $200 increast because the costs directly associated with an emergency transport have risen 18 percent in the last five years. The increase includes equipment, salaries, training, fuel and other healthcare-related items.

"For every dollar that we increase our rates, we only see 11 cents of it," said Frank Gresh, EMSA Chief Information Officer. "And the reason is because the way the federal government reimburses and the way insurance companies reimburse. And also the fact that we do care for anybody who needs the ambulance service without thinking about their ability to pay."

The last time EMSA raised its rates was in 2009. The raise in rate goes into effect on July 1. The increased rates, though, will not apply to TotalCare Members.