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Select Board approves 10% ambulance rate increase; new fees to be in place through FY26
Summary
The Select Board voted unanimously to adopt a 10% increase in ambulance transport rates and a mileage increase to $39, effective immediately and to remain in place through fiscal 2026, citing rising personnel and equipment costs and billing/collection complexity.
The Acton Select Board on April 7 approved a recommended 10% increase in town ambulance transport fees, a move officials said is needed to support the ambulance enterprise fund amid rising personnel and equipment costs.
Budget staff presented a financial plan and a new rate-setting approach to the board. If approved, the new fees are: Advanced Life Support (ALS) Level 1 — $2,644; ALS Level 2 — $3,828; Basic Life Support (BLS) — $2,226; mileage will increase from $35 to $39. Board members were told the increases represent a 10% bump across ride types and would be in effect through fiscal year 2026, with rates to be revisited annually thereafter.
Staff explained ambulance billing and collections are complex: rides are billed to Medicare, Medicaid, private insurers or to patients directly, and collected amounts differ by payer. The presenters said historical collections average roughly 23% of Medicare-billed amounts, 16% of Medicaid-billed amounts, 58% of private insurance billed amounts and 5% of direct patient billing. The town uses a private billing contractor, Pro EMS, which handles claims and collections. The Select Board was also told that the town’s medical oversight and a new labor contract have increased personnel costs.
After discussion of billing practices, uncompensated care and collection rates, Select Board member Jim moved to approve the rates as presented; the motion passed unanimously.
The Select Board also discussed arrangements for patients without insurance and noted the Commonwealth’s uncompensated care programs may apply to some portions of unpaid bills. Staff said they will return to the board annually with a review of the ambulance enterprise fund and will revisit the rates before each new fiscal year.
