
Hernando County Commissioners have approved a large increase in the hourly fee charged to hospitals when ambulances are unable to hand off patients in a timely manner, according to a report in the Hernando Sun.
The fee, approved last week in a 5-0 vote, is being boosted from $30 an hour to $204 an hour, according to the report. The fees will be charted in quarter-hour increments after the first 30 minutes.
County officials say the extra fees will encourage hospitals to reduce long wait times.
“Sometimes, these big corporations, the only way you get their attention is by giving them an incentive,” said Hernando County Jerry Campbell.
Hospitals in Hernando County, like most of the country, have ongoing staffing shortages, causing longer wait times, the newspaper reported.
The fees collected from the hospital will go back to Hernando County Fire and Emergency Services ambulance services.