Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ems Billing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
St. Mary's County commissioner urges clearer EMS billing policy to reassure callers
Summary
A St. Mary's County commissioner said the county should clarify its EMS billing policy after hearing that some residents fear calling 9-1-1 because of potential bills, and recounted an anecdote of a resident billed $850 who could only afford $150.
A St. Mary's County commissioner said the county should revisit its emergency medical services billing policy to ensure residents feel safe calling 9-1-1.
The commissioner raised the issue during remarks to fellow commissioners, saying there had been recent reporting that seniors might avoid calling 9-1-1 because of worry over bills. The commissioner recounted a constituent’s experience: “I got a bill for $850,” and that the constituent planned to pay “a hundred and $150” because that was what he could afford. The speaker said the county’s current “soft billing policy” is confusing and urged clarity so people are not deterred from seeking emergency care.
Why it matters: If people avoid calling emergency services out of fear of being billed, that can increase medical risk and strain other county services. The commissioner urged the board to adopt a clearer policy that reduces the financial barrier to calling for an ambulance.
Details and context: The commissioner said, “Do it. The county is not going to, try to make your life, harder by requiring this billing,” and described advising the constituent that the county would not place a lien for the unpaid amount. No formal motion or vote was recorded in the transcript on changing the policy; the remarks were a request that the commissioners “revisit this whole EMS billing policy.”
The discussion was presented as a policy clarification and a call for staff or the board to consider revising communications and procedures so callers understand their obligations and protections.
Ending: The transcript shows the topic was a discussion item raised during general remarks; no formal direction, assignment, or vote to change policy was recorded in the provided text.
