Select Board authorizes signing of new ambulance contracts after lawmakers ban balance billing

The Loudon Select Board on Tuesday authorized the chair to sign in‑network provider agreements with Harvard Pilgrim of New England and Tom Lowden Standard Ground Ambulance after discussion about changes required under Senate Bill 245.

Fire Chief Blanchett told the board the new law prohibits balance billing after Jan. 1 and that municipalities can either become in‑network providers — accepting contract rates (the legislation refers to up to 325 percent of the Medicare rate) — or continue to bill insurers as out‑of‑network providers but risk nonpayment. "You really don't [have a choice] the way they broke the legislation and passed it," Chief Blanchett said, urging engagement with insurers to preserve revenue streams.

Chief Blanchett told the board the town applied through the state portal to be an in‑network provider for as many as 17 insurers and had already received an addendum from Blue Cross Blue Shield/Matthew Thornton. The chief said some insurers require paperwork or quality‑assurance stipulations but described these as manageable.

Select McMillan moved and Select Griffin seconded a motion authorizing the chair to sign the Harvard Pilgrim and Tom Lowden agreements; the board voted in favor. Select McMillan and other members discussed handling late arrivals of additional insurer contracts and agreed to review contracts as they come in.

The board did not adopt a blanket delegation for all future contracts; members said they would handle incoming contracts on a case‑by‑case basis and call special meetings if necessary before the statutory deadline.

What happens next: staff will continue processing insurer portal responses, return any contract addenda to the board for review as needed, and the chair will sign the specified agreements on the board’s behalf.