Wareham EMS has increased its rates effective Wednesday, August 14.

The Selectmen approved new rates on Tuesday. EMS Director Dave Evans noted that EMS has not increased its rates since 2009, and surveyed the town of Marion to get a handle on what surrounding towns charge for EMS services.

Some rates will stay the same, including a $140 charge for an IV, defibrillator, and EKG.

In other cases, the rates would double or come close to doubling.

The rate for non-emergency advanced life support will increase from $410 to $920, while non-emergency basic life support will go from $340 to $647.

According to Evans, the increases will put Wareham EMS in line with what Marion charges for services.

About 60% of EMS payments come from government health plans, and approximately 40% comes from private insurers, Evans said. A small portion of that 40% comes from people who pay out of pocket.

"A small percentage is people with no insurance or their insurance doesn't cover the EMS bill," he explained.

The new rates were approved by the board by a vote of 3-0-0, with Selectmen Steve Holmes and Patrick Tropeano not present for the vote. Holmes and Tropeano were present last week when the board discussed the rate increases.

Wareham residents can subscribe to the Burgess Plan which, for a $50 yearly fee, will allow the town to bill a person's insurance company for ambulance services. If  insurance does not cover the total cost, the customer still won't see a bill.

The service is meant to cover only non-emergency rides, and covers only household members named on the application

Click below to download and print an application, which may be sent to Wareham Emergency Medical Services, PO Box 3492, Wareham MA, 02571.