EMS commission approves 3% ambulance rate increase for 2027; chief says Medicare/Medicaid reimburse only a fraction

The Fitchburg EMS Commission on July 16 approved a 3% increase to ambulance run rates for 2027, saying the raise will help rebalance run revenue and municipal contributions toward the commission’s target of roughly a 50/50 split between run income and municipality support.

Chief (staff member) reviewed the rate categories — resident and nonresident base rates, per‑mile charge, two varieties of no‑transport fees (assessment vs. treat‑and‑no‑transport) and a special‑event hourly rate billed to event hosts. The chief said the recommended 3% increase aligns with billing company guidance and would modestly move run revenue closer to the district’s funding balance target.

On reimbursement, the chief explained contract rates differ substantially from billed charges: “So a Medicare patient, that base rate, that $1,743, we’re gonna collect about $350 of that. The rest is gonna get written off. For our medical assistance patients, we’re gonna get about a $110 of that,” the chief said. Commissioners asked how many patients are uninsured or pay out‑of‑pocket; the chief said he would provide a payer‑type breakout because the monthly report does not present that exact split.

The commission moved and seconded the rate resolution and approved it by voice vote. The chief said the increases will take effect Jan. 1, 2027. The commission also clarified the special‑event rate is billed as a flat hourly fee for two medics (district example given: $148 per hour for two medics, billed to the event host).

The commission and staff discussed hardship policies and 0% payment plans handled through the billing company for patients who cannot pay; staff said these plans exist but relatively few hardship applications are approved annually.

Next steps: staff will publish the updated rate schedule and incorporate the 3% increase into the 2027 submittal and municipal materials.