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Resident complains to Cusseta-Chattahoochee commission over $75 ‘treat-no-transport’ EMS bill
Summary
A resident told commissioners he received a $75 EMS bill despite no transport and said residents learn of the charge only upon receiving a bill; county staff said the $75 fee covers on-scene treatment and the $10 water-bill charge pays for 911 services, and promised an itemized charge breakdown at the next meeting.
A Cusseta resident raised concerns at the Dec. 2 commission meeting about local EMS billing practices after receiving a $75 bill for on-scene treatment without patient transport.
Derrick White of Lafayette Road told the commission he “does not agree that he should be receiving this bill when he did not get transport to the emergency room” and said he believes the $10 charge on the water bill should cover ambulance costs. “The public doesn't know about the fees until they receive a bill,” White added.
County Manager Thomas Weaver and Chairman Charles Coffey responded that the county separates 911-surcharge revenue (the $10 fee on water bills) from EMS treatment/transport charges. Weaver explained the $75 fee is for “treatment, no transport” when an ambulance crew responds and provides on-scene care (blood sugar check, blood pressure, etc.), and that regional ambulance transport rates generally run between roughly $900 and $1,600 depending on service level.
The manager told the commission he would prepare an itemized breakdown of ambulance service charges for the board to review at the next meeting so the public can better understand the fee structure.
