Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ambulance Billing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee forwards new ambulance billing model and treat‑no‑transport fee to Ways and Means
Summary
The committee voted to recommend a tiered ambulance billing model (targeting roughly 325% of the Medicare cap by January 2028) and to consider a 'treat‑no‑transport' fee; both recommendations will be forwarded to Ways and Means for budget review.
Fire Department leadership told the committee a midyear audit found about 130 ambulance calls uploaded to the billing server had not been processed; the vendor later located and billed those calls. Chief (speaker 7) said a regional review found a wide range of local billing practices and recommended a stepped approach to increase charges to roughly 325% of the Medicare cap by January 2028, phased in every six months. "We would like to do a tiered approach so that we get to about 325% by January 2028," the chief told the committee.
The chief also proposed adding a "treat‑no‑transport" charge for professional care when crews treat a patient on scene but the patient declines transport, saying it would recapture expendables and professional response costs. The committee voted to forward two separate recommendations to Ways and Means: (1) adopt the ambulance billing model effective Oct. 1 and (2) consider instituting a treat‑no‑transport charge; both passed by roll call and will proceed through the budget process for final action.
