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Jefferson County adopts ambulance offset ordinance to recover unpaid bills
Summary
After a public hearing the board adopted an ordinance allowing Jefferson County Ambulance Service to set fees, pursue collections and participate in Iowa Department of Revenue setoff compliance for unpaid bills, with an appeal process for billed parties.
After a brief public hearing on July 7 the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance authorizing the Jefferson County Ambulance Service to set a schedule of fees, bill patients after insurance, and use debt-collection measures that may include participation in Iowa Department of Revenue setoff compliance.
Ambulance director Josh explained the process during the hearing. "This program will allow us to collect unpaid debts for services...it gives us an opportunity to collect additional debts or unpaid debts for services that..." he said, describing notices sent at 30, 60 and 90 days and transfer to collections by 120 days if unpaid. Board members clarified that payments would be written to Jefferson County Ambulance Service and deposited through the treasurer’s office rather than outsourced to an outside collector.
The ordinance includes an appeal right for individuals who dispute billing and allows the ambulance service to seek recovery through state setoff mechanisms (which can intercept tax refunds). The board closed the hearing, took a voice vote and approved the ordinance. No roll-call vote was recorded in the public transcript; meeting minutes will record formal adoption.
Why it matters
County ambulance services rely on patient billing and responsible collection to cover operational costs in the absence of full insurance reimbursement. The new ordinance creates a formal administrative path for the ambulance service to recover unpaid balances and clarifies how payments will be handled through the county’s treasurer.
What’s next
County staff and the ambulance billing company will finalize an administrative schedule of fees and internal procedures for appeals and collections. The board asked that documentation and procedures be filed with county records and that the treasurer coordinate deposit procedures.
