Brandenburg's ambulance fee dispute escalates as district targets patients for non-transport costs

A dispute over emergency transport costs in Brandenburg has intensified after Märkisch-Oderland announced plans to bill patients for non-transport ambulance calls. The move, set to begin in late April 2026, has drawn criticism from state officials and reignited negotiations between local authorities, insurers, and the government. The conflict stems from a long-running debate over who should cover the costs of ambulance callouts where no transport to hospital occurs. Last year, Minister-President Dietmar Woidke (SPD) urged all parties to find a solution. However, an agreement reached in summer 2025 only addressed transport-related costs, leaving non-transport calls unresolved.

The Higher Administrative Court of Berlin-Brandenburg later ruled that health insurers were not legally required to pay for such callouts. This decision left districts free to pass the costs onto patients—a step Märkisch-Oderland now intends to take. Health Minister René Wilke (SPD) has opposed the district's plan, calling it premature. He advised waiting for the outcome of fresh negotiations, which began recently. Meanwhile, Cottbus and Dahme-Spreewald have paused their own fee notices under a moratorium announced last week. As of April 2026, no other district or city in Brandenburg has implemented such charges. The practice remains rare and controversial across Germany, with no standardised approach in place.

The district of Märkisch-Oderland remains the only authority in Brandenburg pushing ahead with fee notices for non-transport ambulance calls. With negotiations still ongoing, the outcome will determine whether other regions follow suit or seek alternative funding solutions. The issue highlights the broader challenge of balancing emergency service costs between patients, insurers, and local governments.