Charge extra for obese ambulance patients?

Should heavier patients be charged more to be hauled to the hospital?

While some rescue services are buying special ambulances for obese patients, and charging accordingly, that isn't the case in McCook -- yet.

Transporting obese patients came into the discussion at the regular McCook City Council meeting Monday night, when Councilman Jack Rogers pulled from the consent agenda the item to raise rates for the ambulance service operated by the City Fire Department.

After verifying that the increased rates will coincide with government reimbursement rates, Councilman Rogers asked about some fire departments assessing a surcharge for transporting obese patients, those weighing 365 pounds or more.

He asked City Fire Chief Marc Harpham if that has been a problem for the city fire department.

Harpham said there have been a few instances of moving excessively large patients but it hasn't happened very regularly and that so far, emergency responders have been able to handle it.

The equipment the department uses can handle up to 700 pounds, he added.

The department is also planning to buy a power cot to make it easier to transport all patients.

Councilman Lonnie Anderson also asked Harpham about the collection rate from those unable to pay ambulance costs, such as uninsured patients.

Harpham responded that it's less than 10 percent. City Manager Kurt Fritsch commented that the city is doing exceptionally well with 70 percent of bills recovered.

The council unanimously voted to increase ambulance service rates, per the recommendation of of EMS Billing Services that suggested the base rates be reviewed and adjusted on a periodic basis.

The rates are scheduled to continually increase over the next four years and the city fire department will bring the recommended changes to the council for the approval.

The rate changes include increasing rural mileage from $10 to $14 per mile and intercept fees from $75 to $100.