By Emma Fletcher-Frazer
Skagit Valley Herald
SKAGIT COUNTY, Wash. — The Skagit County Board of Commissioners is set to consider increasing the fees for ambulance services.
The board approved a public hearing for Oct. 6 on the proposed increases.
In 2021, the county approved an annual 3% increase through 2024 to keep up with rising costs.
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The county is now considering increasing fees by 3% annually through 2031.
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 county is proposing charging Skagit County residents and nonresidents similar rates.
In previous years, nonresidents paid about $200 to $400 more because they do not pay the emergency medical services levy as part of area property taxes.
In 2024, resident fees ranged from $750 to $1,211, and nonresident fees ranged from $1,045 to $1,513.
Josh Pelonio, director of Skagit County Emergency Medical Services, said the county is recommending moving away from differentiating between nonresident and resident rates.
The residents’ “lower rate no longer directly benefits residents, it only artificially limits the amount the commercial insurance providers will reimburse,” Pelonio said in an email.
The county is using the current nonresident fee as the base price that would increase by 3% annually starting in 2026.
“This resulted in rates very comparable to the averages we reviewed,” said Pelonio.
According to data provided by Pelonio, Skagit County’s proposed rates are similar to those of other public agencies in the state.
The average of other public agencies’ rates is about $70 to $110 more than Skagit County’s proposed rates for 2026.
County Emergency Medical Services estimates the increase will bring in about $70,000 in additional revenue in 2026.
The increase applies only to commercial insurance patients. Medicare and Medicaid patients will continue to pay their normal fees.
Commercial insurance patients make up less than 20% of ambulance rides, said Pelonio. About 1,200 transports in 2024 were billed to commercial insurance.
The public hearing is set for 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 6, in the Commissioners Hearing Room, Skagit County Administration Building, 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon.
County Emergency Medical Services will present additional information on the proposed fee schedule changes.
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