Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ems topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
EMS requests funding for equipment and gurney service as billing revenue grows
Summary
Emergency Medical Services told the finance committee it is buying new ambulances and rolling equipment, increasing spending on billing/collection and gurney maintenance, and planning radio purchases to meet interoperability standards while ambulance billing revenue has improved.
An EMS representative briefed the finance committee on April 7 about FY26 budget changes driven by vehicle acquisitions, equipment outfitting and higher collections that increase billing‑service costs.
What the department said: Staff reported they have new ambulances being outfitted and three more on order; rolling equipment and vehicle outfit costs will rise to match unit deliveries. The budget includes a $25,000 radio purchase line (also referenced by Emergency Operations) and an increase for gurney service contracts — a move to a manufacturer maintenance model (Stryker) to standardize and improve reliability.
Billing and collections: EMS said the borough’s billing and collection vendor is paid as a percentage of collections; improved collection rates have increased the vendor fee line. Department leaders said efforts to enroll patients in insurance programs (Medicaid/Medicare) across states have improved revenue recovery and accounted for part of the increased contractual expense.
Why it matters: The department stressed that investments in reliable gurneys, equipment and radio upgrades reduce safety and operational risk for first responders. Committee members asked about the size and recurring nature of the radio line and about contractual trends in transport reimbursement.
