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Fire chief proposes 2026 ambulance rate increases; reports Medicare collection problems for non-transport calls
Summary
Fire Chief Randy Flynn presented proposed 2026 ambulance rate increases and warned the department has had trouble collecting Medicare payments for "Respond & Treat with NO Transport" calls; the board signaled support and will vote on rates at an upcoming meeting to take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Fire Chief Randy Flynn presented proposed 2026 ambulance rate adjustments and said the town has struggled to collect Medicare reimbursements for "Respond & Treat with NO Transport" calls — such as lift assists — though a Medicare rate change should increase revenue next year. Flynn shared a proposed rate sheet and compared Lancaster’s proposal to Littleton’s unchanged rates.
Select Board member Kathy-Jean Lavoie asked whether the department can calculate the cost per transport type, including vehicle, personnel, equipment and supplies, to help set rates. Flynn said that per-transport cost estimates are probably possible with assistance preparing the data. The board indicated it was comfortable with the proposed adjustments and plans to vote on ambulance rates, along with proposed inspection fees, at an upcoming regular meeting; the board aims for rates and fees to take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
The minutes do not record an exact dollar amount for the proposed rates or a formal vote; the board deferred final approval to a future meeting. Fiscal details, including the proposed rate sheet and the exact projected revenue increase tied to the Medicare change, were noted as attached to the packet but are not specified in the minutes.
