City seeks waiver for non-resident ambulance fees

A request seeking to waive ambulance fees for some non-residents of North Ridgeville was introduced Nov. 5 by Mayor G. David Gillock during a City Council meeting.

Council members agreed to put the matter up for readings after Gillock discussed the issue: Non-residents who fall under the federal poverty guideline would not have to pay the ambulance fees if they are unable to.

He said it’s not often where the city runs into the issue where someone out of town can’t pay, but he wants to take care of the issue when it does occur.

“In this case, we’re looking for a waiver that would allow us to clear those off the books through our collection company,” Gillock said. “We’re the only city that they represent that does not have this waiver form . ... If they can’t pay it, let’s get it off the books.”

The city does not bill residents for ambulance runs if they don’t have insurance or Medicare, he said.

Any emergency ambulance fee would be paid through residents’ property taxes, Gillock added.

Residents are billed at the standard rate of roughly $500.

With insurance and a deductible, their fees are waived and paid by property taxes.

Normally non-residents have to pay the city’s billing company a co-pay and deductible.

This waiver would give the city a legal way to waive all fees if those non-residents fall under the federal poverty level guidelines or have no insurance.

“It doesn’t come up often, but there are people who get very upset when they can’t pay,” Gillock said.

“If you’re in that situation and you need an ambulance and you get a bill and can’t pay, it’s a tough situation. It gives them a break,” he said.

The city’s billing company could start offering these waivers by the start of 2019 if the measure is approved by council. Gillock said there will be no monthly trash charges for December this year.