The cost of an ambulance ride in the Sunrise Health Region is soon about to increase. New maximum provincial ambulance fee guidelines from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health will be applied and effective February 5.
The change will see the maximum basic fee increase to $245 per call, up $25 from the previous charge. The per-kilometer fee will also increase to $2.30 per kilometer, up $0.10 from the previous rate. Waiting time charges however, will remain the same.
Another area which will remain the same will be fees for seniors aged 60 and over. This cost will be capped at $250 per trip.
This will be the first increase in the fees since 2006.
According to Derek Keller, Director of EMS for the Sunrise Health Region, the fees needed to increase due to the rising costs associated with travel in the province.
"As we all know, fuel prices have increased significantly in the past five years," Keller notes.
He also says that the fee increase will allow the ambulance service to more effectively maintain the fleet and upgrade equipment as the need arises.
Even with the increase in fees and the cost of ambulance journeys in Saskatchewan, Keller emphasizes that insurance can offset the costs associated with ambulance journeys.
"We strongly recommend that people acquire private health insurance," he suggests.
