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Norwood selectmen approve ambulance rate increases effective Jan. 1, 2025
Summary
Following a multi-year review of ambulance revenue and expenses, the board approved recommended ambulance rate increases effective Jan. 1, 2025, to help offset a persistent deficit and rising replacement costs tied to the hospital closure.
The Norwood Board of Selectmen voted Dec. 17 to approve proposed ambulance rate increases recommended by the town manager and the fire chief, with the rates to take effect Jan. 1, 2025.
The manager summarized a multi-year review of ambulance revenues and expenses, noting the town previously targeted approximately $600,000 in acceptable ambulance-related spending and that recent years included a larger-than-anticipated shortfall. He said the town has periodically adjusted ambulance fees and now plans to resume more-regular increases to help keep the service sustainable. The manager also noted that roughly 25% of ambulance billings are to private insurance while about 75% are to Medicare/Medicaid, which pay flat rates the town cannot change.
Staff said Pro EMS processes ambulance billing and collections for Norwood, and the town will notify the billing vendor to implement the new rates as of Jan. 1, 2025. Selectmen thanked Chief Bailey and staff for the memo and competitive benchmarking of neighboring communities’ fees; one board member asked about mileage charges and effective dates, and staff confirmed the effective date and billing steps.
Next steps: Staff will provide final rate schedules to Pro EMS and notify the public of the effective date. The board did not disclose a single uniform percentage in the meeting but directed staff to implement the recommended schedule effective Jan. 1.
