Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory Ambulance rates to increase Jan. 1
By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews
NORTH WEBSTER — New billing rates for Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory will go into effect Jan. 1, 2025.
Members of the fire territory board approved the new rates at its monthly meeting Tuesday, Nov. 12.
“We have not changed our rates for quite some time, so we have had the same rates now for several years,” stated Jeremy Likens, fire chief.
The rate increase will mirror Turkey Creek Fire Territory’s rates.
“We thought it would be a good idea to be close. We take patients up there; they come down here. We’re all on the same page as far as rates,” Likens said.
The rate increase came following a recommendation from Medicount, the outside billing company used by the EMS.
Likens noted the audit results were good.
“We are doing very well with that. They were very pleased with the way we are handing the charts, signatures insurance,” he said.
The rates will increase between $100 to $200 for various run types, increase $2 per loaded mile. The response fee for treat and no transport will remain the same.
Rates for BLS Emergency will go from $800 to $1,000; ALS 1 Emergency from $1,100 to $1,200; ALS 2 Emergency, $1,300 to $1,500, BLS non-emergency from $800 to $1,000 and ALS non-emergency from $1,100 to $1,200. The mileage will go from $18 per loaded mile to $20 per loaded mile. The response fee for treat and no transport will remain at $150.
Michael Wyrick, board member, questioned the proposed rates with other services, such as Lutheran and Parkview. It was noted it is believed Lutheran charges $1,600 for a medic run and Parkview was on course for that as well.
During other business, Chris Francis, township trustee, reported the sale of the squad engine was finalized with Pierceton Fire Department and the purchase of a ladder truck from LaGrange has been finalized.
Updating the board on the fire station addition, Francis stated concrete will be poured on Thursday.
“Then everything is set up as far as the electric and gas heaters. … It’s looking great and for the price we paid for it, it’s really costing us nothing actually coming from the sale of the old building. Regardless what we end up doing with the station, we will forever own that building,” Francis stated.
He also reported they are waiting on Metcalf and Payne to run the new gas line so the meter can be removed off the theater and placed on the house.
“As soon as we can get the gas moved, we’re pretty much ready to tear down (the theater),” he said.
Francis talked about the bid process needed to have the old theater torn down. He will be preparing the bid specifications, which will be advertised.
Francis announced Ken Strong will be compiling a video of stories from past and present EMS members in connection with the department’s anniversary next year. A committee will be put together to plan a celebration.