DERRY — Town councilors have approved raising ambulance fees.
At their meeting Feb. 2, councilors voted, 5-2, to increase ambulance emergency transport services fees by 10 percent, bringing the fee schedule in line with other communities.
The current fee schedule is three years old and needed review, fire officials said.
"There have been no increases since 2008," said Chuck Hemeon, director of emergency medical services.
Other costs, including operational, personnel and medical supplies, have gone up, he said.
The 10 percent increase covers basic life support, advanced life support and transportation services, along with a 20 percent increase for mileage and billable procedures like IV therapy, defibrillation and advanced airway management.
The average Derry ambulance fee is $640. About 86 percent of Derry residents have health insurance — either private, Medicare or Medicaid — that will reimburse portions of that cost. About 11 percent have no insurance.
Derry offers ambulance service not only to its residents, but also provides service to Chester and Auburn, adding to the town's revenue stream.
The Town Council approved a new three-year ambulance contract with those towns in 2010.
Derry's fees are less than other communities providing the same level of advanced life support services.
"(This will help us) come closer to other towns similar in size," fire Chief George Klauber said.
Hemeon said having the fees increase will keep Derry on a competitive level with other towns.
Councilors Kevin Coyle and Janet Fairbanks were the lone votes against raising the ambulance fees.
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