Mecklenburg County leaders raise cost of ambulance rides

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The price has gone up in Mecklenburg County for all types of medical transports.

That means regardless of your emergency, you'll pay between $20 and $30 more for a ride to the hospital.

For non-emergencies, the price is now $709, up $21.

For emergencies, it's going up even more from $921 to $949.

The most expensive specialty transports, that require special medication or a nurse, went up $33.

When you call 911, Medic decides what type of transport you need.

For example, if you had a minor burn that does not require pain medication that would be still be considered an emergency.

They'll bill you based on your medical issue and what services were needed on that ride.

“An advanced life support may be someone who’s having a heart attack, and they need medications for that heart attack,” medic Lester Oliva said.

Medic has increased these fees about 2.6 percent each year over the past five years.

The county and Medic's board of commissioners approve the requests.

Leaders won't decide on another increase until next summer.

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