EMS director urges action on unpaid ambulance bills and staffing pressure; highlights grants and recent equipment purchases

Terry, the director of Emergency Medical Services, briefed the commissioners on ambulance operations, billing challenges and staffing.

Receivables and billing: Terry said outstanding receivables total roughly $323,000. Omni, the county's billing vendor, sends two notices under its contract; the county now sends additional follow-up notices to show good-faith collection efforts. For accounts that remain unpaid the county plans to use the state's setoff program to intercept tax refunds. She noted some payers apply Medicaid or private insurance and the office works through Medicaid-rate adjustments to reduce net cost.

User fees and grant revenue: EMS operations rely heavily on user fees. Terry also described recent grant-funded purchases: the county obtained a used ambulance at a reduced price and then acquired a hospital-style power-load cot through a mix of private donations and foundation support. She said the county also received $16,000-$22,000 annually from the EMPG preparedness grant, which covers exercise costs and part of the department's operating budget.

Staffing and overtime: Terry said staffing is thin and overtime is driven by the need to cover shifts when part-time employees are unavailable; that pattern increases burnout risk. She noted hourly wages have risen from earlier levels (e.g., EMTs moved from about $13/hour to a higher starting rate), and the department continues active recruitment.

Operations and partnerships: Terry described using off-site tax payment nights to assist residents and working with local businesses and foundations to secure equipment donations. She also recommended commissioners consider building reserves rather than spending one-time federal or sales-tax windfalls on recurring costs.

Speakers quoted or identified: Terry, EMS Director (first referenced at 01:34:45), and commissioners.