Monroe County commissioners discuss ambulance finances after large federal deposit; approve quarterly report

Monroe County commissioners approved the ambulance quarterly report after a discussion about a large federal deposit and outstanding billing issues.

An unidentified commissioner (Speaker 4) told the commission the ambulance quarterly report showed a year-over-year difference of $274,005.87 and said he had received “a volunteer federal deposit slip of $618,000.03” from Randy White that could offset the shortfall. He also said the ambulance billing company had more than 300 erroneous tickets earlier in the year and had reduced that number to 79 after corrective work.

Commissioners and finance staff asked for a clearer accounting of the deposit. The speaker said he had given the deposit paperwork to Gail in finance and asked her to break down how much of the $618,000 represented a backlog of Medicare receivables. Gail said she would examine the deposits and expected to post receivables through August; staff noted the next full quarterly update is scheduled in October but said an interim update might be possible.

After the discussion the commission moved and seconded a motion to approve the ambulance report, with Travis Wade making the motion and Danny Everhart seconding. The clerk called a roll; a set of commissioners named during the roll call included William Krause, Danny Everhart, Brian Harrell, David Miller and David Williams (roll-call remarks appeared on the record) and the motion carried.

The commission directed finance staff to provide a breakdown of the federal deposit—specifically how much of it is Medicare backlog—so the county can determine whether the FY23-24 ambulance shortfall will be covered in that year’s accounts or carried into the FY23-24 budget closing process. A follow-up on receivables is expected at the next quarterly posting or at the October quarterly meeting.