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Schererville board recommends repeal of EMS billing ordinances to allow updated ambulance fees
Summary
The Town of Schererville Board of Safety voted unanimously to recommend repeal of existing EMS billing ordinances so the town can adopt higher ambulance billing fees based on a London Witte Group market study; related language updates to transport rules to reflect hospital name changes were also approved and will be forwarded to council for the August agenda.
The Town of Schererville Board of Safety on July 9 voted unanimously to recommend repeal of the town's standing EMS billing ordinances (recorded in the meeting as "985 j" and "985 k") to allow updated ambulance billing rates.
Fire Chief Robert Patterson told the board the last fee increase took place in 2021 and that the town commissioned the London Witte Group to analyze market rates and recommend new pricing. "We did have the study, I gave you guys all the reports and emails so you can review them ahead of time," Patterson said, explaining the repeal is intended to clear the way for a new billing schedule.
The board also approved proposed edits to the transport and ambulance-service ordinance to update hospital names that have changed recently. Patterson said the transport item is largely a clerical update to ensure the ordinance references current hospital names.
Why it matters: the repeal would allow Schererville to adopt higher ambulance fees recommended by a consultant, which could affect patient billing and the town's EMS revenue stream. The board's recommendation is advisory to the town council; if approved there, the revised fees would take effect according to the new ordinance schedule.
Board action: A motion to recommend repeal of the EMS billing ordinances and to approve the transport/ambulance verbiage changes passed unanimously and will be forwarded to the Town Council for placement on the August agenda.
What remains unclear: the meeting record transcribes the ordinance references as "9 85 j" and "9 85 k" (spaced); the board packet and town ordinance codification should be consulted for exact section citations and final ordinance language before publication of a fee schedule.
The board adjourned several other agenda items and will await council consideration of the ordinance changes.
