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Council adopts 2026 ambulance fee schedule to align with insurer allowable rates
Summary
The Alpena City Council approved a 2026 ambulance fee schedule (5% increase across the board, effective Jan. 1, 2026) to align with updated allowable rates published by insurers and CMS; the increase stays within a 5% threshold that avoids separate county approval.
The Alpena City Council on Nov. 17 approved adjustments to the city’s ambulance fee schedule for 2026 to align with newly published allowable rates from insurers and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Deputy Chief Andy Marceau, working with the city’s contracted EMS biller (Mobile Health Resources), explained that third-party insurers set allowable fees for ambulance services and that the city’s proposed schedule updates those fees effective Jan. 1, 2026. The recommended changes reflect an approximately 5% increase across the board based on the billing company’s guidance; the update is intended to prevent the city from effectively subsidizing insurer shortfalls and to preserve revenue for EMS operations.
Under the city’s interlocal ambulance agreement with Alpena County, increases above 5% require county approval; because the proposed increases do not exceed that threshold, county-board approval was not required. A motion to approve the 2026 ambulance fee schedule was made and supported; council approved the schedule by roll call with the recorded Ayes noted in the minutes.
Why it matters: The fee adjustment aligns city charges with insurer-allowed rates so the city is not underbilling ambulance services and reduces the potential burden on the general fund.
Next steps: The fee schedule takes effect on Jan. 1, 2026; staff will present information to the county Courts and Public Safety meeting on Dec. 15 for awareness.
