Parkersburg council votes to raise ambulance rates

The Parkersburg Ambulance service will raise its base per call rate to $625 plus $14 per loaded mile with an additional $150 charge if advanced life support is required after the city council approved the change at Monday night’s regular meeting.

According to those in attendance, this brings Parkersburg closer to the average among surrounding cities, and the previous rate wasn’t even up to what Medicare will reimburse. The rate will also automatically go up by three percent annually.

After a brief public hearing, the rate increase was approved unanimously, and the council voted to move from first to third reading so the ordinance could take effect immediately.

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