Those who need to call an ambulance in New York City can expect to receive a much bigger bill starting May 1.  

Ambulance rides will now be almost $1,400 – up from the $900 price of old. The per-mile charge will also see an increase from $15 to $20.  

For Oswald Denis, a Bronx resident and chaplain at Lincoln Hospital, these cost increases could potentially cripple many New Yorkers.  

“It’s really, really too much. It’s an insurmountable bill for our underserved communities,” said Denis. “I love the paramedics, but that surcharge is just too much.” 

Last month, Denis says his mother needed the help of FDNY paramedics after a fall. He says that while their aid was essential and they treated her extremely well, this cost increase is unfair, especially for the many New Yorkers that do not have health insurance.  

The FDNY says that the rate increases are based on the “actual cost of providing EMS service” – pointing to factors like higher fuel costs and other increased paramedic costs. It also says that increasing the rates saves taxpayer money and asks the insurance companies to “pay their fair share.” 

Thankfully for Denis, his mother’s insurance helped cover her ambulance ride, but he says he fears that people will now opt to use ride-share services or taxis instead of an ambulance.