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There’s no free ride or is there?

By Meg Olson

The local fire department has adopted a charity policy for patients who can’t afford the newly established fees for emergency medical treatment.

“If the applicant submits everything they need to it’s just a question of what percentage they’ll qualify for,” explained fire chief Bill Skinner at the May 12 fire district commissioners meeting.

Under the unanimously adopted policy parties claiming “financial distress” will be sent an application asking them to document their household income and the size of their family. Based on federal poverty guidelines, a sliding fee schedule will offer those who qualify for the charity care program the reduction or elimination of ambulance and emergency medical care fees. For example, a family of four earning 175 percent of the federal poverty limit for a family of that size – $35,000 – would qualify for an elimination of their fees. A family of four earning $58,100 would qualify for a 50 percent discount.

Commissioners decided that Skinner and one commissioner would review the applications and make a determination of eligibility, rather than leaving it at the discretion of the chief. “It will be better for the applicant to feel it was more objective,” said commissioner Susan Brownrigg.

Commissioner David Gellatly suggested the policy be reviewed every year, and the commission agreed.