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West Plains EMS reports 551 calls in 2024, outlines staffing, billing and merger work
Summary
A West Plains EMS representative told the Village of Cross Plains Finance Advisory Committee the district had 551 calls in 2024, described staffing and volunteer levels, revenue sources, vehicle plans and ongoing grant and merger feasibility steps.
A representative of West Plains EMS briefed the Village of Cross Plains Finance Advisory Committee on March 5, reporting 551 calls in 2024 and outlining staffing, billing, vehicle and grant-related items that bear on district finances and local service levels.
The West Plains EMS representative said the district answered 551 calls in 2024, of which 29 were canceled or handled by another agency, and that service staffing consists of four full-time employees, 16 part-time employees and 25 volunteers. “We were out of service in 2024 for 11 hours and 45 minutes,” the representative said, adding that the district has worked to keep units in service through scheduled maintenance planning.
The representative gave a revenue breakdown for 2024 that attributed about 47% of income to Medicare, 8% to Medicaid, 20% to commercial insurance and 25% to patient payments. The presenter said Medicare often initially denies ambulance bills and that providers then pursue subsequent billing; the presenter also said Medicare/Medicaid/workers’ compensation typically pay the loaded miles portion of a transport. The representative cited an illustrative collection rate: on a $1,000 gross charge billed to Medicare/Medicaid/workers’ compensation, the typical collected payment referenced in materials was $441.17.
On vehicle and fleet plans, the representative said the district will keep its current 2019 ambulance for an additional year to evaluate needs while taking delivery of a used Ford F-550 4x4 that was obtained through another agency. The district conducts a six-year replacement cycle for ambulances and said the newer unit is slightly larger and 4-wheel drive. The presenter said Dane County Emergency Management maintains a single backup ambulance for countywide use.
The board discussed recruitment and volunteer strategies, including partnerships with Madison-area training programs and the University of Wisconsin for prospective EMT volunteers and students. The district reported mandatory volunteer minimums (for example, 24 hours per month) and said some volunteers may be allowed shorter splits (for example, 12 hours) to accommodate schedules; the presenter said volunteer stationing had shifted to improve response times.
The EMS representative summarized cost-control and governance steps taken after a prior embezzlement, saying the district adopted safeguards and layered approvals so that multiple reviewers sign off on payroll and bills before payment. The presenter said the district is on track with goals in its five-year plan.
On regional services and possible consolidation, the presenter said a neighboring group to the west will apply for a feasibility grant the committee had also been considering; the grant deadline was extended by 30 days to April. The committee was asked to prepare an inventory of capital assets as part of any merger discussion; the committee chair asked Tim Hillenbrane to begin categorizing capital and association-owned assets and to separate county-donated items from association-purchased items.
Ending: The committee heard the EMS briefing and discussed follow-up tasks including an assets inventory for potential consolidation discussions and follow-up on vehicle and facility planning; no formal committee vote on EMS operational changes was taken at this meeting.
