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Resident raises concern about $1,000 transport bills; council asks staff to investigate
Summary
A resident reported a constituent received a $1,000 ambulance bill and urged the town to accept insurance assignments like neighboring Davie; town staff said the town's understanding is unpaid differences are not pursued and committed to investigate reported discrepancies.
During public comment at the Town of Southwest Ranches second budget hearing, resident Laurie Parrish described a constituent who received a $1,000 ambulance transport bill and asked why the town's contract appears to require full payment instead of accepting an insurance assignment.
Parrish said Davie Fire Rescue had historically accepted insurance assignments and either accepted the insurer's payment or waived unpaid differences for insured residents, and she urged Southwest Ranches to consider the same approach for residents, particularly seniors and those on fixed incomes. She reported that Davie recorded 402 transports and that the town had collected roughly $202,000 in transport fees, but she questioned whether those figures reflected all billed transports and collections.
Council member Keith asked staff to confirm how the town treats cases where an insurer does not pay the full billed amount. Town Administrator Russell said his understanding from the earlier contract negotiation was that the town would not pursue residents for unpaid differences if an insurer failed to pay, and he committed to investigate any incidents that appear to contradict that practice. A councilor asked staff to follow up with Lori (staff) to verify collections and policy application.
Staff did not provide an immediate, definitive accounting in the hearing; council instructed staff to report back with findings. The council did not take formal action on the ambulance billing policy during the session.
