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Norwich Township adopts EMS billing and sets ambulance charges
Summary
Trustees adopted a resolution establishing ambulance and emergency medical services charges and contracted with a billing vendor to capture transport revenue, a move trustees said will delay the need for a new fire levy.
Norwich Township’s Board of Trustees voted in June 2009 to establish charges for ambulance and emergency medical services and to contract with a billing vendor to pursue insurance reimbursement for transports.
Trustee Michael Cope moved to adopt the resolution establishing charges for ambulance and EMS and Trustee Larry Earman seconded; the motion passed unanimously (motion #090615.02). The resolution sets charges at "two times the reasonable and customary rate for the region, including Norwich Township, as determined by Medicare," plus mileage, and directs the fiscal officer to create a dedicated fund for ambulance revenue pursuant to Ohio Revised Code §505.84.
Administrator Wayne Warner told trustees that preliminary estimates projected the Township could net roughly $600,000 in additional revenue from EMS billing, which the board saw as a way to postpone placing a fire levy on the ballot. At a public meeting in April, Chief Dave Long and Administrator Warner emphasized that patients would not be sent bills directly by the Township; instead, insurers would be billed and residents would typically receive only an explanation of benefits.
Some residents raised concerns about elderly or uninsured residents avoiding 911 calls; Chief Long and trustees responded that the Township would not pursue uninsured individuals for payment and that policies would be in place to protect residents who lack coverage. The board also authorized an agreement with MED3000 to provide billing services as part of the implementation plan.
The resolution takes effect immediately and creates a separate Fire and Rescue/EMS fund to receive and spend ambulance revenue for fire and EMS operations. The board directed staff to continue public outreach and include details in the Township newsletter to answer resident questions about how billing will work.
