By Leila Merrill
CLEVELAND — Cleveland EMS ambulance service rates more than doubled starting on July 1, WJW reported.
The rates changed for the first time in nearly two decades. The new rates billed to insurers for ambulance runs will be between $750 and $1,300, which is more than double the previous base rates of $350 and $500.
In addition, mileage rates went from $10 to $16 per mile.
The Cleveland Association of Rescue Employees had been lobbying for increases.
Union president Mark Barrett said he would like to see the additional funds go toward employee pay and retention.
“We’d like mental health paramedics, we’d like community paramedics, we’d like to give blood. We can’t do any of that unless there’s paramedics to do it,” he said.