Council approves medical-director agreement to secure EMS oversight and malpractice coverage

Stevensville — The Town Council authorized an agreement to secure a medical director who will provide oversight, standardize clinical direction across regional QRUs and cover malpractice for local EMTs.

Fire/EMS representatives described the agreement as a no-cost arrangement for the town: the medical director’s malpractice insurance would extend to local EMTs while the director provides consistency in clinical policy across neighboring districts. Staff told the council that they had worked with Community Medical Center’s Doctor Nancy Tranel previously but that Dr. Tranel was no longer able to serve as medical director; staff recommended an alternative arrangement with an outside medical director.

The contract language shown to the council referenced an entity described in the motion as "Marcus Daily Corporation doing business as Better Health." At the same time, staff repeatedly referenced "Bitterroot Health" as the organization providing the medical director in practice. Council did not identify a specific physician’s name in the contract at the meeting and asked staff to ensure the provider and insurance details are finalized before the town’s license filings.

Council member Smith moved to approve the agreement and the motion passed 4–0. The mayor was authorized to sign the agreement so the town would not lapse on required licensing for the EMS unit.

Why it matters: A designated medical director sets clinical scope of practice for EMTs, can authorize limited additional procedures, and is necessary for QRU licensure. The arrangement also creates shared clinical oversight with neighboring services, which officials said will help standardize practices across the valley.

Council asked staff to provide the final contract (including the physician of record and evidence of malpractice coverage) for the official file.