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City council approves ambulance transport fee increases billed to private insurers
Summary
The council approved a staff proposal to raise ambulance transport fees billed to private insurers, effective July 1, 2025; staff and council emphasized that Medicare, Medi‑Cal and uninsured patients will not be billed at the higher rate.
San Diego City Council on June 3 approved an increase in ambulance transport fees that will be billed to private insurance companies, Fire‑Rescue officials said. Assistant Chief of Emergency Operations Dan Eddy and other staff emphasized the change does not increase billed rates for Medicare, Medi‑Cal or uninsured patients.
Fire‑Rescue presented data showing 86% of the department’s 188,000 2024 emergency dispatches were medical calls and that providing paramedic‑level service requires multiple units, producing costs that exceed current fee revenues. “These increases will only be applied to invoices to private insurance companies,” staff said, estimating private insurance makes up approximately 11% of invoices.
Public commenters voiced support for the change as a way to shore up reimbursement and maintain services. Council members discussed the alliance model used to subcontract ambulance transport, contractual cost pressures from providers, and the need for future competitive procurement to seek cost savings.
Council Member Von Wilpert moved the staff recommendation; Council Member Whitburn seconded. The council approved the fee schedule unanimously, 7–0. Council members stressed communications clarity to avoid misleading headlines implying patients would be charged directly.
