Increase In EMS Fee Approved For City Of Waukesha

WAUKESHA, WI— The Waukesha Common Council unanimously approved a fee increase for EMS services on Tuesday.

The Waukesha Fire Department requested an increase of $300 over a 3-years period.

According to Assistant Fire Chief Joseph Hoffman, the billing rates was recommended by the fire department's billing company. An analysis was done of the industry standards based on what is fair across the health care industry.

Hoffman said the update doesn't affect soft collection practices from residents.

"Our soft collection practices, mean City residents will not see a bill out of their pockets, but we will continue to bill their insurance provider for their transport," Hoffman said.

The department worked with representatives of Andres Medical Billing to conduct a rate analysis as of part of the 2022 budget preparation. They requested a $300 increase to advanced life support and basic life support services, according to online city documents.

The department plans to spread the increase over a 3-year period, with a $100 increase starting July 1, an additional $100 increase starting January 1, 2022, and the final increase of $100 to starting Jan. 1, 2023. The increase would generate an estimated $21,360 of additional revenue in 2021, $39,020 of additional revenue in 2022, and $35,320 of additional revenue in 2023, according to city documents.

"EMS responses account for 85% of our responses. The total revenue generated from billing for EMS services will not exceed the cities expenditures for providing the services to the community," the documents said.

The overall fee increase will be included in the 2022-2023 operating budgets.