By Emma Fletcher-Frazer
Skagit Valley Herald
SKAGIT COUNTY, Wash. — The Skagit County Board of Commissioners approved Monday increases to its ambulance fee schedule.
The change will increase fees annually by 3% through 2031.
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“We need to update that,” said Commissioner Ron Wesen, adding that the county needs to ensure that insurance companies are paying the new rate.
In 2024, fees for county residents ranged from $750 to $1,211, and nonresident fees from $1,045 to $1,513.
Under the new fee schedule, costs for transport in 2026 would range from $1,109 to $1,605, with $23.49 per ground mile during transport.
In 2031, costs would range from $1,286 to $1,860, with $27.23 per ground mile.
The change applies to those with commercial insurance and those who pay themselves, not to those who have Medicaid or Medicare.
Users with Medicaid and Medicare pay on schedules set by the federal government.
In 2024, about 18% of the county’s ambulance transports had commercial insurance.
The county will now use the same rates for county residents and nonresidents, rather than charging nonresidents more.
County Emergency Medical Services staff had previously said that the difference in rates had only saved money for commercial insurance providers, rather than residents.
The changes will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
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