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Council refers proposed Ambulance Capital Fund amendments to finance committee for review of rates and write-offs
Summary
Councilors asked the finance committee to review proposed changes to the Ambulance Capital Fund ordinance, including fee rates, write-off practices and contractual relationships with hospitals and insurers.
Councilors on March 3 referred Ordinance D-27-67-25, an amendment to Chapter 2, Article 4 (Ambulance Capital Fund), to the Finance Committee for further review.
Councilor Snyder, who co-sponsored the ordinance, said he supported much of the draft but asked the item go to the Finance Committee to analyze lines setting rates the City charges and other provisions. "We charge among the lowest rates in the state, and I'm not sure that's prudent," Councilor Snyder said, asking the committee to discuss potential rate adjustments and the fund's role in restoring ambulance services.
Chief Joel Thacker, Carmel Fire Chief, provided context on write-offs and billing. He said the roughly $1.3 million of contractual write-offs cited by Councilor Taylor reflected insurance adjustments through the billing process rather than unilateral refusal to collect. "The 1,300,000 in contractual write offs [are] not necessarily the hospitals; it's insurance, through the billing process," Chief Thacker said.
Councilor Taylor asked staff to analyze the ordinance lines setting EMS fees, cost-of-living adjustments and other contract terms, and to provide comparative data with surrounding communities. Councilor Taylor also asked that committee members examine contractual arrangements with hospitals and insurers that produce large write-off totals.
Council President scheduled the Finance Committee meeting for Tuesday, March 11 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers for review of the ambulance fund ordinance and related contracts.
