Paramedic service in Pasadena, Calif., will cost more next year, according to a Pasadena Now report.
That's because the City of Pasadena will institute a new $349 paramedic billing fee, according to the article.
Here are three things to know.
1. Pasadena Fire Department paramedics may use advanced life support equipment and basic life support equipment, according to the report, and how much someone gets billed for services depends on which is used. The report cites 2016-2017 fiscal year information from the City of Pasadena, which shows the basic charge for paramedic ambulance services for ALS is $1,445 compared to $1,033 for BLS.
2. The cost of being rescued and treated is based on the number of materials used by paramedics at an incident, including oxygen, splints, an IV and defibrillation among others, according to the report.
3. News of the paramedic billing fee comes as the City of Pasadena approved the extension of a contract with Wittman Enterprises, according to the report. Wittman, which bills patients treated by trained Pasadena Fire Department paramedic and emergency specialists, agreed to continue to reduce the fee it receives for its work if the contract was extended, the report states.