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Fire department proposes higher EMS fees, new resident write‑off policy and prompt‑pay discounts
Summary
Garland Fire Department proposed raising ambulance (EMS) fees to better recover commercial insurance reimbursements, and suggested a resident write‑off policy so uninsured Garland residents would not receive a bill; staff said the change would reduce reliance on state ambulance supplemental payments.
The Garland Fire Department proposed raising emergency medical service (EMS) fees at the Aug. 16 budget workshop and recommended a new approach to resident unpaid balances to improve collections while protecting Garland residents.
Chief Lee said current Garland EMS fees are below Medicare allowable levels and below many regional peers. “Currently, Garland discharging $675 [for an ALS2 call] … Medicare allows $759.79,” he said, and noted commercial payers often reimburse based on a percentage of Medicare allowable amounts (up to 325% for some contracts). Chief Lee and his fiscal staff proposed an ALS2 charge of…
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