NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — If you need a fire department ambulance in New York City, it could cost more to take care of you.<\/p>\n
The FDNY is looking at increasing the fee by 19 percent.<\/p>\n
The bill goes to the insurance company first, but it could also increase your out-of-pocket expenses.<\/p>\n
It may be the last thing on your mind when calling 911, but the cost for emergency medical services in New York City is expected to go up.<\/p>\n
This includes costs for treatment in the field and, if necessary, transportation to an emergency room.<\/p>\n
The FDNY, which employs 4,300 EMTs and paramedics, has proposed raising its prices.<\/p>\n
Treatment on scene will top nearly $900, a Basic Life Support transport will cost nearly $1,800, and an Advanced Life Support transport will cost nearly $2,200.<\/p>\n
The FDNY says the department is raising prices, ‘because of increased costs and to help offset the City’s cost of providing these services.”<\/p>\n
But that may be the least of the department’s EMS problems.<\/p>\n
“I can confidently say that these increases will not go towards EMS. It will go for the FDNY budget, for them to do whatever they need,” President of EMS Local #2057, Oren Barzilay, said.<\/p>\n
Union leaders say wages for medics are shockingly low. For many, less than a $1,000 a week and they’ve been working without a contract for nearly four years.<\/p>\n
“We’re going to lose 37% of the workforce. 1,500 people will be gone. 600 already left. So EMS can’t function like this,” President of EMS Officers Local #621 Vincent Variale said.<\/p>\n
Union leaders have been demanding the same wages as firefighters, who make, on average, 70 percent more.<\/p>\n
When she was named commissioner, Lillian Bonsignore said she supported equal pay.<\/p>\n
“I agree EMS should have parity and should have had it for a long time. This is literally a job people cannot live without,” Bonsignore said.<\/p>\n
Private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid are expected to cover the increased costs. These are the first increases in three years.<\/p>\n
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News<\/p>\n