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Lewiston board approves resolution allowing volunteer fire company to bill insurers for ambulance transports
Summary
The Town Board approved a resolution permitting local volunteer fire/EMS to submit bills to insurers for patient transports to offset town-funded costs; board members emphasized residents would not be billed directly and approved the measure 5‑0 by roll call.
The Lewiston Town Board on June 24 approved a resolution authorizing fees and charges for emergency medical services that will allow the local volunteer fire company to bill insurers for partial reimbursement of patient transports.
A representative for the fire company said the change aligns with a statewide practice that helps volunteer companies offset the expense of emergency response. He told the board the company will not add charges beyond what insurers allow and that “nobody’s going to get a bill” personally from the town for those covered charges.
Board members discussed fee caps and protections for residents. One board member asked whether residents could end up paying in excess of their insurance; the fire company representative and others replied the billing would be handled with insurers and the fee schedule represents a maximum cap, not a guaranteed out‑of‑pocket charge.
The board took the matter up by motion and approved the resolution by roll call, with Councilman Jacobe, Councilman Morel (recorded as voting), Councilmember Myers, Councilmember Wector and Supervisor Broadrick voting in favor (5–0). The resolution text and a formal resolution number were left to be added to the record following the meeting.
What’s next: the town will finalize the resolution numbering and administrative procedures; board members said the policy will help sustain volunteer EMS capacity while aiming to avoid direct billing to residents.
