Independence Township approved an administrative policy to collect delinquent payments for Emergency Medical Services at the June 21 meeting.
Township Supervisor Dave Wagner said the policy was needed in order to collect the current outstanding debt which is close to $150,000. This money is still owed by people who received services, but have not paid.
Bob Cesario, the Independence Township EMS coordinator, commented on the rates.
‘The rates were determined on an industry average, we wanted a base rate. We could have itemized the charges, but chose not to,? said Cesario.
Rates are as follows: BLS resident $350, non-resident $450; ALS resident $525, non-resident $625, ALS 2 resident $575, non-resident $675.
Cesario said separate rates were created for residents and non-residents of Independence Township as a perk for residents because they are already subsidizing the service through taxes. Cesario pointed out that visitors will pay a higher rate because they do not pay taxes.
The charges vary depending on the type of treatment provided. According to Cesario, Basic Life Support (BLS) involve treatments that do not require medication or anything invasive to the body. Advanced Life Support (ALS) involves any actions that enter the body, like medication or an IV. Advanced Life Support 2 (ALS 2) procedures are no different that ALS, but are actions that follow an initial unsuccessful ALS treatment.