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Elm Grove committee backs higher EMS rates and shift to bundled billing to align with neighboring towns
Summary
The Finance & Licensing Committee recommended adoption of Resolution 20260526A to raise EMS billing rates and replace itemized supply charges with a bundled fee; staff estimated $30,000'$60,000 in additional annual revenue, mostly affecting non'Medicare calls, and asked for a biennial review of rates.
Finance Director Brian Lahey presented a proposed update to Elm Grove's EMS billing that would replace the current itemized model (separate charges for medications, supplies and interventions) with a bundled fee structure modeled on the Town of Brookfield's schedule. Lahey said the Village's current rates were about one'third of comparable jurisdictions and that the proposal had been developed with EMS Service Director Ben Roy and Village Manager Tom Harrigan.
Lahey explained the practical revenue implications: roughly 70% of 2025 EMS calls involved Medicare patients, where Medicare contractual allowances limit reimbursement and providers typically accept the Medicare payment without balance'billing. As a result, Lahey said, the revenue impact of higher rates would be concentrated among the estimated 30% of calls with commercial insurance or self'pay patients; he estimated additional annual revenue in the range of $30,000 to $60,000. The committee asked that rates be reviewed on an approximate two'year cycle to keep fees competitive; Lahey said staff would return with a review schedule.
Trustee John Schindler moved to recommend approval of Resolution 20260526A to increase EMS billing rates and transition to a bundled billing structure; Mr. Nicholas Ganos seconded and the motion passed 4-0. The committee did not adopt specific rate tables at the meeting; the resolution forwarded to the full board will include the proposed schedule and implementation details.
