Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ems Billing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Billing consultant: payer mix, fees and collection timing drive EMS revenue
Summary
MBS told the Brentwood subcommittee that payer mix is the primary revenue driver and cited Brentwood figures (average charge ~$1,356; payment percentage 45.25). The consultant warned of a months‑long cash‑flow runout and limits imposed by fee schedules and out‑of‑state insurers.
Jeff, a billing consultant with MBS, told the committee his firm uses data‑driven reporting and regional payer mixes to estimate realistic collections. He said Brentwood’s 2025 average charge per call is roughly $1,356 and that the town realized a payment percentage of 45.25¢ on the dollar in the reported period.
Jeff explained that Medicare and Medicaid fee schedules — not provider charges — principally determine payment levels. “You could charge $1,000,000 a call. It’s going to make no difference,” he said, illustrating how government fee schedules cap reimbursement. He also described typical timing: an insurance phase where most payments arrive in 30–180 days, followed by a patient‑balance phase that can extend collections by several additional months.
Those timelines matter for any transition: committee members noted a new contract year would see a cash‑flow run‑in and that first‑year receipts should not be equated with steady‑state revenue. The subcommittee asked for an RFP to compare market practices and contract language.
