PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A big rate hike is coming to ambulance rides in Washington County.

The board of commissioners voted Tuesday for a 27% increase after it was requested by American Medical Response (AMR), the county's ambulance provider. The new rate is expected to go into effect in January 2026.

The price for an ambulance trip to the hospital will go up to just over $2,000 for basic life support, but your charge could be even higher: The charge for an advanced life support ambulance will go up about $500 to $2,475. There is also a per-mile charge of almost $40.

That's almost 50% higher than what patients are billed in Multnomah County.

AMR told the commissioners the hike is due to higher medical costs, low Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates, and long wait times at hospital

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