Insured Anne Arundel taxpayers could be exempt from paying any part of the new $500 ambulance service fee, pending federal approval, because officials say they help pay for those services through their taxes.
County officials are awaiting a ruling from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as to whether Anne Arundel taxpayers can avoid paying the remainder of the fee not covered by their insurance company.
“We don’t want to burden county residents with this fee,” said Battalion Chief Matthew Tobia, county fire department spokesman.
The county council approved the fee in May to help offset rising emergency service costs.
Anne Arundel officials also plan to have a “compassionate billing program” where an administrator can waive the fee if it will financially ruin the customer.
“People shouldn’t make a choice between calling 9-1-1 and feeding their children,” Tobia said.
But those living outside of the county would have to pay any part of the fee not covered by insurance companies.
Anyone who needs an Anne Arundel ambulance in will be charged, even if the hospital is outside of the county.
Even those seeking help outside of Anne Arundel could be affected because the county responds to calls in Laurel, Savage and Kent Island.
The fee is expected to start in April and bring an estimated $2 million, said County Executive John R. Leopold.
As Anne Arundel moves forward with its ambulance fee, Montgomery County’s volunteer firefighters said they would force the issue of fees being charged for ambulance service to a referendum if the county approves the fee.
This past spring, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett recommended charging fees ranging from $300 to $800 per ambulance trip, plus $7.50 per mile traveled.
Staff Writer Kathleen Miller contributed to this report.
