-Editorial
Residents requiring ambulance transportation or emergency medical services in Calexico could face significantly higher charges under a proposal to increase fees by 50%, a move intended to address rising operating costs and reduce the financial burden on the city’s General Fund.
The proposed adjustments were presented to the Calexico City Council on Oct. 21 by Fire Chief Juan Contreras, who recommended scheduling a public hearing before considering any fee increases.
The recommended public hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the Fernando “Nene” Torres Council Chambers, 608 Heber Ave.
Under the proposal, fees for advanced life support (ALS), basic life support (BLS), medications, medical equipment, and other emergency services would increase by 50%.
The proposed adjustments to ambulance transportation rates alone could generate approximately $140,000 in additional annual collections, an increase of 8.4% over current projections.
According to a staff report, annual ambulance transportation collections are estimated at $1.68 million under existing rates, compared with $1.82 million under the proposed fee structure.
The projections do not include potential additional revenue from increases in medication and equipment charges, which have not been separately quantified.
The proposed adjustments follow an EMS Optimization and Transportation Study conducted by consulting firm AP Triton and presented to the City Council on Sept. 16.
The study examined ambulance operations, transportation rates, and the city’s ability to recover the costs of providing emergency medical services.
Based on the consultant’s findings, the Fire Department recommended applying a 50% increase across the existing EMS fee schedule.
Under the proposal, the ALS Level 1 transportation fee would increase from $1,651.28 to $2,476.92, while ALS Level 2 would rise from $1,726.81 to $2,590.22.
Basic life support transportation would increase from $1,397.34 to $2,096.01, while emergency BLS transportation would rise from $1,472.87 to $2,209.31.
The report estimates average BLS and ALS bills of approximately $2,340 and $2,683, respectively, under the proposed structure.
Additional increases would affect medications, medical supplies, oxygen, cardiac monitoring, and other services provided during emergency responses.
The proposed mileage charge would also increase from $12.96 to $36, a change exceeding the general 50% adjustment.
However, higher billing rates would not necessarily produce equivalent increases in actual revenue.
Reimbursements from Medicare, Medi-Cal and other insurers are subject to payment limitations, while collections also depend on ambulance transportation volume and patient insurance coverage.
Calexico established its existing EMS fee structure in June 2018 following a study by Willdan Financial Services. The city subsequently implemented inflation-adjusted fees in 2025.
According to the staff report, the proposed changes are intended to address increasing personnel, overtime, equipment, maintenance, and supply expenses while bringing local ambulance rates closer to comparable regional and statewide levels.
