Hall County could be raising the costs of ambulance services, a move that will put its charges in line with other counties and provide a boost to the county's general fund.

Hall County Fire Chief David Kimbrell said the department, which also provides emergency medical services, reviews its charges every few years.

"We typically try to hold it to the lowest we can," Kimbrell said. "Everyone looks at it periodically and it's been two, three years since we looked at ours."

He said Hall County was charging lower rates than many surrounding counties. Even the increased rates will still be lower than what Gwinnett County will be charging.

"With changes in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement and the area around us growing up, it'd be foolish for us not to go up," he said. "You know the old adage - we're leaving money on the table."

He said doing so would also help county revenues during lean times.

"If we stick with the same amount of calls and are successful like we have been in the past with those collections its about an $880,000 increase to the general fund," Kimbrell said.

The majority of charges are paid for by insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid, he said.

"Only 6 percent of the calls we bill have to pay cash out of their pocket," Kimbrell said.

Out of all transport calls, 25 percent are from out of county residents. He said charging a fee for emergency services makes it more equitable for county residents than funding the services through taxes.

"It's the best way to pay for it," Kimbrell said.

Kimbrell will bring the rate increase before the Board of Commissioners next month.