Excerpts from fox32chicago.com:
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – Ambulance rates in Hoffman Estates are going up. It used to cost about $1,200 for residents and $1,500 for non-residents, and that price is now going up to nearly $3,400 for both.
There is also going to be another $20 tacked on per mile. The village says it’s to raise $25 million to replace its two oldest fire stations.
thanks Martin and Rob
#1 by Bill C. on August 13, 2023 - 10:44 PM
Chuck, MEDICARE/ Medicaid ELIMINATED the ability to charge Oxygen as a separate item OVER 10 years ago IF not longer. Also Most private insurance aligned their payment systems the same way . EKG readings are ROLLED INTO ALS services and are no longer billable in the same way that Starting IV’s on any ALS patient are not paid as anything other than basic service under ALS treatments. EVEN CERTAIN DRUG administrations are considered basic service & not able to be billed (Aspirin, Nitroglycerin and a few others that I no longer remember) .
#2 by Chuck on August 12, 2023 - 8:35 PM
Bulldog, I’m not quite sure where you would get the idea (OR the supporting data, for that matter,) that $3,400 (plus $20 a mile,) wouldn’t be enough to cover a typical ambulance transport. Even calculating in the hourly rates of every responding firefighter and officer (generously figuring 5 men but most likely 4,) they’re still looking at a base profit somewhere in the $2,300 – $2,500 range. And the medical supplies used? Replaced by the hospital and billed by the hospital. Surprised they don’t charge extra for oxygen and EKG services like some places do.
#3 by Mike on August 12, 2023 - 12:08 PM
So the 3400.00 charge is what Medicare and Medicaid pay now. Medicare and Medicaid was revamped a few years ago and they are finally paying more. The issue with ambulance service is most people who have primary care doctors can’t get in to see them for months so they go to the ER. Same with the minute clinics and immediate care facilities. Go there wait and then get transferred to the ER by ambulance, but they don’t call privates they call 911 because the privates usually have a couple hour wait. Over the last 20 years resources have been cut in healthcare which also causes an increase in ambulance responses, especially those dealing with mental health issues and addictions. It’s overwhelming the systems. A lot of places are doing telehealth and community paramedics programs but many departments are still resistant to the change. Unfortunately it looks like everything has come to a head. Recruitment of firefighters and ems workers is way down, cost of equipment is way up and every year call volume keeps increasing. In the northern Illinois area most departments require everyone to be a paramedic instead of running a tiered ambulance system of BLS and ALS ambulances. Which could work, especially if your department is running als fire apparatus. The biggest issue is you have to hire more people to staff the apparatus.
#4 by Bulldog on August 12, 2023 - 7:54 AM
25 million for 2 stations is pretty obscene! I know prices on everything have skyrocketed but I’d like to think they can build 2 stations more modestly.
Regarding people abusing the ambulance system, I can’t seem to figure out why people don’t resource Uber and Lyft for a ride to the hospital. I get it that when you’re ill or injured there are times you need to get to the hospital quickly, but when you need stiches and don’t have a ride, why are people calling the ambulance? The fact of the matter is that $3,400 transport fee may not even cover all the expenses associated with transporting a patient.
#5 by crabbymilton on August 11, 2023 - 12:00 PM
Excellent answer Austin. You don’t want to be wasteful but no matter what the finished building turns out, some people are going to be upset about it even if it’s a need improvement. In many bigger cities, there are so many things in city government that are any number of times more costly and often they duplicate services of other city departments or something the respective county already has and too likely isn’t needed either. But people only get upset with PD and FD spending. As far as ambulance costs go, there’s an old saying in that if you think it’s expensive now, wait until it’s free.
#6 by Austin on August 11, 2023 - 9:52 AM
BMurphy sorry I missed your response. Most insurance does not cover the whole cost of an ambulance ride. Even if you were on the hook for 1k after everything, that is out of reach for a large portion of the population. With the cost of everything today, credit card debt at an all time high, and savings at their lowest point in decades, that makes an ambulance ride out of reach of many. Obviously if you are in a serious car accident or have a major medical episode you have no choice. But I think MikeC hit the nail on the head about abuse, this will no doubt cut down on that which is a plus.
While I agree suburbs love new shiny things, sometimes its justified. I’m from St. Charles originally and the downtown station that was replaced about 12 years ago was needed. Modern apparatus simply couldn’t fit in the old one anymore, it was made into a station in the 50’s, but the building was older than that. South Elgin is another department that comes to mind that actually needed a new station.
#7 by Jeremy B. on August 10, 2023 - 10:10 PM
21 is supposed to be built either on the same site (or at least substantially the same site, they might take over some nearby parkland), or will share a site with the Hoffman Estates Police Station off Higgins Road (it will be a separate building behind the current police station).
22 will get a new location because the current site is too small to support the architect and consultant’s (Illinois Fire Chief’s Association Consulting) suggestions, seems they are targeting as close to the intersection of Barrington and Higgins Road as they can get it. The report had a potential location in a corporate center down Higgins from the current site. They did look at a vacant plot on Barrington Road, but said it was too small.
Also, in the Village’s announcement of the fee increase yesterday, they announced they will waive all fees for residents beyond what their insurance pays. So, only nonresidents will have to pay any potential balance. I know Elk Grove Village already does that in the area, I think it makes sense because residents are already paying towards it with taxes.
https://www.hoffmanestates.org/Home/Components/News/News/5988/23
If anyone wants to see the report from the architect and consultants, they have a link to it on that release.
#8 by michael m on August 10, 2023 - 9:03 PM
Would they build the stations on the same sites? I am not aware of a lot of open land in either Station 21 or 22’s district. I believe there still might be a large plot of land on Barrington Road near The Reserve apartment complex. They could potentially place station 22 there. Station 21 will be a little more of a challenge.
#9 by Rusty on August 10, 2023 - 8:52 PM
Mike MC – Allthough the Politcian statement I agree with lol.
Think of it this way: A. Just as houses have changed over the years Firehouses have needed to change. The firefighters deserve nice amenities. Why should they have to go to an old dump every third day? Maybe Hoffman Estates built those Firehouses back when they were volunteer and only had a kitchenette in it etc….Or a single small bay for a Model A fire engine that weighed much less than a 100ft Tower Ladder. Alot of old houses had a one car garage because they never expected to have 2-3 cars at home.
B. What about financial concerns? How smart is it to keep pouring money into a 100 year old building or how about where the firehouse is located – i.e Prime Real Estate where the Village or City can make tax money off of the property the firehouse is at.
#10 by Mike C on August 10, 2023 - 5:46 PM
I fully support the increase in the transport rate! Hopefully this will reduce the constant abuse on calling an ambulance! I know insurance and subsidies will pay a large portion or all of the transport fees but I’m so sick and tired of seeing and hearing people call an ambulance for the most ridiculous things!
#11 by Matt C on August 10, 2023 - 1:35 PM
21 is approaching 70 years old, not really new. It was pretty much gutted to the walls in 1985 and remodeled by the members, on duty. Had minor issues like sewage seeping under the walls into the kitchen and dayroom. The bunkroom has 6 bunks, but rather close together. 22 was opened in 1975. Has been reconfigured a couple of times, but not really optimally. Bunks stuck in locker rooms and the like. The biggest problem would be space. Used to be 12 bunks at 22. It’s down to 8 in the bunkroom due to the current trend of cubicles instead of open bunkrooms. It’s a communicable disease thing. Now that Hoffman has 4 females, facilities for them is an item of concern as well. 24 got moved a few years ago to a more centrally located spot because Sears was no longer the 800 pound gorilla in the room and didn’t have any say on the matter.
#12 by Localguy on August 10, 2023 - 9:36 AM
I’m with Mike Mc. To expand on what you’re saying. I’d rather be in some of those 100+ year old firehouses than a brand new one. I have to agree, this seems a bit extreme. I can somewhat understand doubling it for non residents, they don’t already pay taxes. But to more than double it, almost triple it for those who already pay taxes for your services??? Then to charge mileage like that on top of it all. I’ll put a tourniquet on, pick up my decapitated leg and hobble to the hospital.
#13 by joe Gumienski on August 10, 2023 - 4:25 AM
Medicare and most decent health policies pay for ambulance transportation when medically necessary the issue is to many people call for ambulances when they think it will get them faster access to ER treatment. All they get is a cart in hallway outside a ER and longer wait times !
#14 by crabbymilton on August 9, 2023 - 3:11 PM
Some people just don’t care or research the people they vote for to manage these things. Elections have consequences.
#15 by Evan Davis on August 9, 2023 - 2:14 PM
I’ll drive myself.
#16 by Cmk420 on August 9, 2023 - 1:17 PM
Assuming it is 21 & 22 they are replacing, do they have a plan on where these new stations are going to go?
#17 by Chuck on August 9, 2023 - 12:56 PM
This is a case of robbery. There is no justification for this other than outright greed, plain and simple.
#18 by Mike Mc on August 9, 2023 - 9:31 AM
Nothing personal directed at Hoffman Estates. Just a general observation about the suburbs. The same can be said about their police stations. Some of them can be mistaken for a corporate headquarters.
#19 by Mike Mc on August 9, 2023 - 8:58 AM
Why is it firehouses in New York City, Chicago, Milwaukee, and other major cities can last over 100 years and suburban stations, with much more room for renovation and expansion, have to be replaced? Perhaps some elected official(s) know the architect and contractor?
#20 by Mike on August 9, 2023 - 7:55 AM
My guess is station 21 and station 22 are getting built. Station 23 was built in the 1970’s and station 24 was already rebuilt even though it’s the newest building.
#21 by crabbymilton on August 9, 2023 - 7:12 AM
Yes, public and private ambulance transports are costly. But what can you do if you need one you need one. My now 81 year old mom had a couple of falls this year and is still in rehab but will come home shortly but I digress. I’m taking care of her bills and there were a couple of private ambulance bills. One for transport from the house and the other from the hospital to the rehab center. Fortunately, her insurance covers most of it. About $700.00 for each ride. I can’t help but think that there is much abuse that adds into the cost for everybody. I have heard calls from people at hospitals calling 911 to get attention so there’s got to figure in. Besides, with all of the liablity and associated costs, the bottom line it that nobody wants to work for free.
#22 by Michael m on August 9, 2023 - 6:12 AM
Which two stations are the oldest in Hoffman Estates? Is it 21 and 22? Also I know they have two Pierce Velocity PUC engines on order any idea when those might be built?
#23 by BMurphy on August 8, 2023 - 11:39 PM
Most private health insurance plans, as well as Medicare and Medicaid, cover emergency ambulance care and transport, subject to applicable copays and deductibles. I respectfully beg to differ with Austin’s assertion that people will be looking for other (non 9-1-1) means of emergency medical care and transport due to cost considerations, especially in a community such as Hoffman Estates, where the vast majority of residents and visitors have access to health insurance coverage or direct subsidies or support like Medicare or Medicaid.
People do not cost compare during an acute medical crisis, they call 9-1-1.
#24 by Austin on August 8, 2023 - 10:03 PM
So they are going to charge the same price for a resident and non resident? Plus $20 per mile! That is absolutely insane, and you can bet it will make people take other means to the hospital regardless of their condition, or maybe even a private ambulance. I get they need/want new stations, but there has to be other ways to go about getting funding.