By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• The Gwinnett County Commission in Georgia approved a $100 fee for treated non-transport EMS calls.
• The vote occurred during a county commission meeting March 24.
• The fee applies when EMS treats patients on scene but does not transport them to a hospital.
• Officials said the policy aims to help cover rising emergency service costs.
• The fee will be implemented later this year; county staff will return with formal guidelines.
LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — The Gwinnett County Commission approved a new policy March 24 to charge a $100 fee for emergency medical services that treat patients on scene but do not provide transport, county officials said.
Under the measure, patients who receive EMS assessment and treatment at the scene and are not conveyed to a medical facility will receive a bill for $100 to offset costs associated with the response.
County commissioners said the decision reflects rising operational costs for fire and EMS services and the financial pressures on local government budgets.
Officials did not provide a specific start date for the new fee; they said county staff will return to the commission with formal procedures and implementation timelines.
Supporters said the fee is intended to help sustain emergency services without reducing coverage, while some community members have raised concerns about access to care and billing practices, officials reported.
The county will continue discussions with fire and EMS leadership as it finalizes the policy details and prepares for implementation later this year.