Mishawaka’s Common Council has unanimously approved an increase in ambulance fees. The fire department says it hasn’t raised rates since 2022, while costs for staffing, equipment and facilities have grown.

EMS Chief Brian Thomas says the new charges will rise from roughly 150 to 200 percent of Medicare’s allowable rate to about 300 to 350 percent.

He said the department receives about 300 dollars per call, while a study estimated emergency services cost more than 3,000 dollars per call.

Officials say Medicare and Medicaid rates are determined by those programs, and a person’s ability to pay won’t affect the care they receive.