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Billings County raises EMS rates to improve cost recovery
Summary
Commissioners approved an increase in ambulance billing rates, raising the loaded-mile rate from $18.75 to $25 and the BLS intermediate charge from $875 to $1,100 to improve recovery on calls. Officials said insurance reimbursement limits mean collections will not fully cover costs.
Billings County commissioners voted to raise the county’s ambulance billing rates, increasing the loaded-mile rate to $25 and the basic life support (BLS) intermediate charge to $1,100.
Agency official (speaker 8), who oversees emergency medical services, told commissioners the county generally recovers about 46–47% of billed amounts and recommended the increases to boost revenue. "I'd recommend that we move to $25 for the loaded mile and we move to 1,100 for, BLS intermediate charge," the official said. Commissioners discussed limitations imposed by Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements and the fact that private insurers determine much of what is ultimately collected.
Commissioner (speaker 2) moved to approve the new rates as presented; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. County counsel (Jared, speaker 12) confirmed the action was legally permissible. Officials said funds billed to patients go into general collections rather than directly back into the EMS operating budget and that raising rates will not change the percentage collected but should increase total recoveries.
The commission directed staff to incorporate the new figures into the county’s rate schedule and return any implementation details at a subsequent meeting.
