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Haines Borough Assembly OKs EMSMC ambulance-billing contract with zero-balance guarantee
Summary
The Haines Borough Assembly voted 6–0 to authorize a contract with EMSMC to handle ambulance billing under a zero-balance policy, paying the contractor 5% of net collections; the manager said uninsured residents will still receive coverage and the vendor will assist with Medicare enrollment.
The Haines Borough Assembly voted unanimously Oct. 28 to authorize the borough manager to sign a contract with EMSMC to implement ambulance billing and collections under a zero-balance policy.
Borough Manager Alekka told the Assembly the contract provides “zero balance billing,” meaning the contractor will accept what insurance pays and will not leave patients with a balance; “if somebody does not have insurance, they should still call the ambulance if it's needed, and it will be covered,” Alekka said. The proposal before the Assembly calls for EMSMC to take a fee of 5% of net collections.
Assembly members debated whether to outsource billing or build in-house capacity. Assemblymember Smith, who said he would vote for the contract despite reservations, cautioned about the broader ambulance- and billing industry and the effect of third-party billing on residents: “I’m not quite satisfied. I’m gonna vote for it. … We have to be careful about a faceless electronically driven billing company,” he said, urging mitigation of aggressive collection practices.
Supporters emphasized operational advantages. The manager and HVFD representatives said EMSMC uses the same ImageTrend run-report software the borough already runs, which reduces additional staff workload. The contract also includes assistance to get local emergency services recognized as Medicare providers, work the manager said would otherwise require substantial staff hours.
Motion and vote: The resolution (25-10-12-08) to authorize the manager to execute the contract was moved by Assemblymember Forrester and seconded by Assemblymember Smith; a roll-call vote recorded six yes votes and no no votes, and the resolution passed 6–0.
What happens next: The manager will finalize the contract with EMSMC and begin onboarding; the Assembly and HVFD discussed returning later to evaluate whether billing could be taken in-house if borough capacity grows.
