The Brunswick Town Council voted Monday night to hold a public hearing on Monday, Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. to discuss changes in fees charged for emergency medical services.

In a memo from Town Manager John Eldridge to the council, it was determined that the last review and increase of fees occurred in 2009.

Finance Director Julie Henze and Brunswick Fire Chief Ken Brillant reviewed the new fees which were then recommended for approval by the finance committee on June 6.

Eldridge said that revenue from emergency medical services to the town is governed by Medicare and MaineCare as well as other insurance providers, however, he believes its important to bring Brunswick’s fees more in line with other communities.

Currently, Brunswick charges $380 for basic life support services, while Bath, Falmouth and Windham are at $600 and Portland at $748. The proposed increase to $480 will bring the town in line with 15 coastal communities surveyed, resulting in a median price of $479.63.

All other increases for variances of life support, mileage, non-transports and assisting other agencies will still put Brunswick just below the median of other communities surveyed.

Last fiscal year, ambulance services in Brunswick netted $805,158 in revenues for the town. Billing for services was more than $1.1 million, however, low Medicare reimbursement allowances and collection fees cut into net gains for the town.

Eldridge clarified that no matter what rate the town sets, Medicare will tell the town what it can charge for services for one of their patients. From whatever amount it allows, Eldridge said Medicare pays 80 percent of that amount, leaving the patient to pay the remaining 20 percent.

Eldridge also noted that it was difficult to judge the cost of running the ambulance services for the town as the Brunswick Fire Department is a 24-hour department, offering emergency services including rescue.

Councilor Dave Watson approved with moving ahead with a hearing. However, he said the town should consider not charging for the first time a patient calls for an ambulance and is not transported to a hospital.

Watson’s reasoning was to use the first call to educate people about the use of emergency medical services and informing them that future calls will be charged.

Current charges

• CURRENTLY, Brunswick charges $380 for basic life support services, while Bath, Falmouth and Windham are at $600 and Portland at $748. The proposed increase to $480 will bring the town in line with 15 coastal communities surveyed, resulting in a median price of $479.63.