THE WILSON COUNTY (TENNESSEE) EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY has announced an increase in its fees that it charges ambulance patients.

Currently the service charges a flat fee determined by the level of service required of about $600 to $800 per call.  In addition, they add on a “loaded mileage” charge for distance traveled when a patient is actually on board.  This mileage charge adds another $10 per “loaded” mile to the bill.

Using the rising cost of diesel fuel as a lever, the EMA announced that beginning July 1 they will be adding another $2 per mile, bringing the “loaded mile” charge up to $12.  They admit that the ambulances get about 5 miles per gallon.  So they will be collecting about $60 for every gallon of diesel they burn transporting a victim who is already being charged for the call.

WTVF Ch. 5 has the STORY.

WZTV Nashville has a video report:

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