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Va. EMS volunteers quit over decision to charge patients for ambulance rides

One member who resigned said the change will deter people from seeking the help they need in an emergency, and he would not work under the new policy

WVIR

FLUVANNA COUNTY, Va. — Several volunteer rescue squad members in Fluvanna County are resigning this week after a decision by county supervisors to begin charging patients for ambulance rides to the hospital.

Before that decision, Fluvanna was the only county in central Virginia that covered all of the transport costs. Fluvanna County is now doing what they call compassionate billing.

This means that they require citizens to pick up part of the cost incurred when using rescue services. They will first bill people’s insurance, but anything not covered will become the responsibility of the patient.

Read full story: New Billing Policy Leads to Resignations from Fluvanna Co. Rescue Workers