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EMS chief flags $150,398 in Highmark checks kept by patients; collections and legislation discussed
Summary
Shaler Hampton EMS reported 233 Highmark-related calls in 2025 with $150,398 in checks kept by patients, described collection challenges and noted a pending statewide EMS fee schedule bill that did not pass this year.
The agency official reported that through 2025 there were 233 emergency calls identified as Highmark insurance claims and that patients kept 105 checks totaling $150,398, a sum the speaker said slightly exceeds Hampton’s annual contribution to the EMS organization.
The official described collection difficulties, explaining that pursuing individual cases through the district magistrate is time-consuming and costly; the agency recently changed collection vendors and has seen improved results, the speaker said. "We received a check last month from collections that exceeds what we received from any collections in previous years," the official said, citing better performance under the new law-firm-backed collector.
Councilmembers asked whether legislation is needed; the speaker said a proposed statewide EMS fee schedule was pending with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)-backed effort but is not expected to pass this year, and staff will revisit the proposal in early 2027. The speaker also noted the township previously canceled a low‑paying contract with Highmark and described subsequent communications between the insurer and local subscribers.
The EMS report included operational statistics: 2,758 emergency calls year-to-date across the service area, 92.2% of calls occurring in the three communities served, and 1,770 patient transports (about 64.2% of calls).
