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Queen Anne's County approves large EMS billing hike and orders new ambulance
Summary
The board approved a recommended 200% increase in ambulance transport charges, added fees for lift assists and treatment without transport, and authorized purchase of a 2027 Ford F550 Horton ambulance for $394,259 to improve cost recovery and fleet capacity.
On July 14 the Queen Anne's County Board of County Commissioners approved changes to emergency‑medical‑services billing and authorized a major equipment purchase.
The board voted to raise ambulance transport charges — a recommended increase of 200% — to better align with Medicare trends, inflation and neighboring jurisdictions, and to establish fees for lift assists and treatment‑without‑transport responses. A commissioner moved the increase and the measure passed by voice vote.
Director Scott Haas and EMS staff outlined the rationale and operational context. An EMS official reported the division has no baseline vacancies, is training staff for paramedic certification and is expanding clinical capabilities. On response times, the official said, “we're holding pretty consistent around 13 and a half minutes on our 75th percentile” and noted the 90th‑percentile times are close to 17 minutes.
The board also authorized the director to purchase a 2027 Ford F550 Horton model ambulance through the Houston‑Galveston Area Council Cooperative Purchasing Program from Fesco Emergency Sales for $394,259, with an expected delivery of 18–24 months. Commissioners said the order is needed to refresh a fleet with long lead times and to support a planned seventh unit and expanded services.
Why this matters: County EMS said current rates are well below regional benchmarks; the rate changes are intended to improve cost recovery and help sustain service levels as call volumes rise and equipment lead times lengthen.
What happens next: The billing changes take effect based on the department's implementation schedule and procurement will proceed through the cooperative purchasing agreement; delivery and staffing timetables were discussed in the presentation.
