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Incoming fire chief explains Medicaid/Medicare enrollment and third-party ambulance billing
Summary
Cody Tower, identified as incoming fire chief, told the commission the county must update a provider-enrollment agreement so the ambulance service can be reimbursed by Montana Medicaid and Medicare; staff said the county uses a third-party biller (Peddler Billing) and estimated Medicare/Medicaid comprise over half of ambulance runs.
Cody Tower, identified during the meeting as the incoming fire chief, briefed commissioners on a Montana Healthcare Program provider-enrollment agreement necessary to bill Medicare and Medicaid for ambulance services.
Tower said the county uses a third-party billing agent, Peddler Billing of Eureka, which codes runs and submits claims on the county's behalf. "Without this agreement, we don't get to do that," Tower said, explaining that enrollment lets the county receive Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements and any associated supplemental payments the program provides.
Tower estimated that more than half of ambulance patients in the county are covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Commissioners discussed whether a supplemental payment or cost-sharing mechanism applied; Tower said the county previously submitted Medicare/Medicaid claims and received reconciliation payments based on call volume.
The county attorney confirmed the agreement appears to be the same contract previously used but that it needs to be updated to reflect the new chief's signature. No formal controversy or opposition to the enrollment agreement was recorded.
Next steps: Staff will finalize the agreement with updated signatures and continue coordination with Peddler Billing; commissioners requested (but did not require at this meeting) further breakdowns of payer mix if staff can provide percentages by payer type.
