Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Fire department reports revenue gains, ambulance updates and MIH results; cites SB 245 impact
Loading...
Summary
Laconia Fire Department reported improved EMS billing revenue, new and used ambulance acquisitions, and success from its Winnipesaukee Mobile Health (MIH) program; staff said in‑network status under SB 245 may allow modest local rate adjustments that could yield roughly $46,000.
Fire Chief Joubert and Deputy Chief Scott Lewandowski briefed the council on EMS billing, fleet status and the Winnipesaukee Mobile Health (MIH) community paramedicine program.
Deputy Chief Scott Lewandowski told the council the department collected just over $1,000,001 for EMS billing in 2025 and has seen year‑over‑year improvements, including a roughly 35.9% increase in the most recent year and an 83% increase compared with a five‑year average. He said Medicare is the largest payer (about 50%), Medicaid accounts for roughly 18% and commercial insurers about 16% of billed revenue.
Lewandowski described vehicle procurement: two ambulances ordered in 2023, the first now in production and expected to be in service in time for Bike Week or shortly after; a used 2014 ambulance purchased from Waterville Valley is already serving first‑due in the Weirs District. He noted long manufacturer lead times (about 40–44 months for a new vehicle) and thanked DPW for helping with graphics on the used unit.
The department said it is now in‑network with commercial carriers as part of New Hampshire Senate Bill 245 implementation (SB 245), which sets rates and reimbursements at the state level. Lewandowski identified two local billing rates that may be adjusted (notably the BLS emergency rate) and estimated conservative additional revenue of about $46,000 if modest adjustments are adopted; the council was told any rate changes would require formal notice and separate agenda consideration.
Winifred "Winnie" Tunstall presented MIH outcomes: in one illustrative case a single patient’s transports fell from 40+ in 2024 to 10 in 2025 (a 75% reduction), MIH recorded more than 403 patient contacts and 90+ individual patients over a one‑year period, and the program has prevented 35+ potential 911 calls since July 2025 (data through Dec. 2025). Tunstall said MIH focuses on chronic disease management, home safety assessments and reducing avoidable emergency care.
Councilors expressed support for expanding MIH and asked staff to return with any needed rate‑change proposals for formal council consideration; the administration said a separate agenda item would be scheduled to consider rate adjustments under SB 245.
