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EMS director outlines steady call volume, revenue variability and pending billing contract
Summary
EMS Director Joel reported 70 calls in September, variability in monthly billing receipts and that the service turned roughly $137,000 over to collections; staff are pursuing a consulting/billing contract and expect to return with a proposed three‑year agreement.
At the Oct. 7 meeting EMS Director Joel provided the department’s quarterly update, reporting 70 calls in September (similar to August) and noting that EMS billing revenue is cyclical and often arrives months after services are provided.
Joel said September revenue included roughly $5,000 from transfers and 9‑1‑1 billing and that the department recently sent about $137,000 to a collections agency for validation. He described the billing process used by their billing contractor and said delays from insurers and clearinghouses make monthly revenue unpredictable.
The director said he is in contract discussions with a consulting/billing firm on a proposed three‑year agreement that would resemble the county’s current billing arrangement; the firm would take a percentage fee (for example, roughly 7% if collections reach $100,000). Joel said he will bring a contract to the board for review once negotiations are complete. He also reported cameras and fiber work completed at the station, staff training plans, and a tentative late‑October hire for an open position.
Board members asked questions about revenue timing and collection procedures. Joel said collections can prompt payments on older bills and that the county has seen sporadic payments from previously unpaid claims.
Next procedural step: staff will return with any proposed contract for board approval.
