BLUE RIDGE, Ga – The billing rates for emergency medical services (EMS) in Fannin County will be increasing for the first time in 10 years.

The increase will still put Fannin below the average prices of surrounding counties like Gilmer and Pickens. One reason for the rise in rates is inflation. PPE products have fallen victim to inflation much like groceries, cars, and building materials. The cost of gloves went from $75 per case to $160 per case.

“The main thing that is going to increase a little bit is specialty care. The more drugs and the more critical a patient is the more we have to do,” EMS Director Becky Huffman explained. “Mostly, we’re right along now with what Medicare will allow. We’ll be a little bit above that but speaking with our billing she said most people have supplemental insurances and they will pick up the difference.”

The new rates would help offset costs with people who utilize the service but don’t pay taxes in Fannin. In some instances, the increase would be $100, and the mile cost is up by $3 to $13 per mile.

The new advanced life support specialty care rate ($800) in Fannin is less than half of what Pickens charges for the same service.

N95 masks cost the department more than $1,000 and they’re required to use N95 masks on every call. EMS workers are trying to reuse masks when possible and looking into purchasing respirator masks as a permanent option. However, Huffman wants to find one that will last before purchasing a new product.

“I think we go ahead and increase it. We’ll still be lower than other counties,” Post Two Glenn Patterson stated.

Post One Johnny Scearce echoed a similar sentiment, expressing he’s “all for it.”

The county EMS doesn’t receive reimbursement from the hospital if an ambulance transports an individual from the hospital elsewhere. Fannin owns four ambulances to service the county so it’s a strain to transport people outside of the county from the hospital.

Fannin Regional Hospital is working with Prestige to transport people from its facility, but Prestige doesn’t have a Georgia license at this point. Once the state of Georgia grants Prestige a license, it will take some stress off Fannin EMS.

The commissioners approved the purchase of two power stretchers and one stair chair for the EMS Department as well. The cost comes out of the SPLOST budget for $4,100.

Public Works

Fannin Commissioners approved the purchase of a used bucket truck for the road department to assist with cutting down dead trees and limbs. The purchase comes out of SPLOST funds for $45,000.

Public Works Director Zack Ratcliffe assured the truck was in good condition and he’s talking with Tri-State EMC so the piece of equipment can receive regular testing.

Another SPLOST purchase of $50,000 was approved for striping in the county. The cost of striping roads is up because of the scarcity of product. Only one facility in Texas services most of the southeast with striping paint.

Ratcliffe added that all bridges in Fannin County are safe and GDOT inspected. All bridges must be inspected by GDOT every two years.

Phyllis Matthews was appointed to the Tax Assessor Board by Post One Johnny Scearce after Casey Eaton had to step down from the role.