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Council approves EMS fee increases; director highlights Medicaid reimbursement change
Summary
Torrington approved higher ambulance fees effective April 1: BLS to $800, ALS to $950, specialty transfers to $1,300 and mileage to $18 per loaded mile. EMS Director Darren Yates said state legislation will raise Medicaid reimbursements to 100% of Medicare rates starting July 1, easing revenue pressure on ambulance services.
Darren Yates, EMS executive director, presented proposed changes to the city's emergency medical services fee schedule and said the council should approve them to help sustain service delivery. Yates proposed raising the basic life support (BLS) rate from $700 to $800 and advanced life support (ALS) to $950; specialty-care transfers (nurse or physician on board) would move from $1,100 to $1,300. He proposed loaded mileage increase from $16 to $18 per mile and standby-personnel fees from $75 to $100 per hour.
Yates told the council that statewide legislative action will improve Medicaid reimbursement: "As of July 1, they'll be paying us 100% of the Medicare rates for Medicaid patients," he said, calling the change "huge for ground ambulance services in the state of Wyoming." He noted many insurers limit itemization and that most reimburse a single base rate plus mileage.
Councilman Victorin moved to approve the EMS fee changes with an effective date of April 1, 2026; Councilman Kelly seconded and the motion passed by voice vote with no nays recorded. The city clerk will update the fee schedule and implement the new rates effective April 1, and staff will monitor state Medicaid implementation.
