MEETING DATE:
NOVEMBER 10, 2026
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-9685 - APPROVING THE UPDATED AMBULANCE TRANSPORT RATE SCHEDULE
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
ADOPT a resolution approving updated ambulance transport rates.
Body
Board or Commission Action
Not Applicable
Executive Summary
The San Marcos Fire Department contracted with NBS Government Finance Group (NBS) to complete an Ambulance Services and First Responder Fee Study. The study reviewed the city’s current ambulance fees, the costs associated with providing ambulance transport services, regional ambulance rates, and the feasibility of implementing a First Responder Fee.
Following its review, NBS recommended increasing the city’s ambulance transport and Treatment on Scene/Treat No Transport fees to better align with the cost of providing these services. The study also found that San Marcos’ current ambulance transport rates are below the median of rates of many agencies included in this study.
Staff recommend establishing one standard ambulance transport rate of $4,170 for both Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) transports. The city currently charges $2,309 for ALS transport and $1,846 for BLS transport. The proposed rate utilizes the study’s recommended transport rate and incorporates standard medical supplies and medications that are currently billed separately.
Moving to one transport rate for both ALS and BLS services is consistent with the trend among surrounding agencies and provides a simpler and more transparent billing structure. NBS noted that the use of one transport rate is becoming the norm among ambulance providers.
Even with the proposed increase, San Marcos’ $4,170 transport rate is competitive and still below the transport fees of those agencies that have completed recent transport fee studies. The average transport rate among agencies included in the NBS comparison that have recently completed fee studies is approximately $4,586. The San Di...
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