The Pella City Council was presented with a change in billing related to Pella Community Ambulance at policy and planning this week.

The amount all residents with private insurance could pay for a ride to a medical facility is set to increase. Previously as a non-profit organization, Pella Ambulance matched the reimbursements provided by Wellmark for all services as an in-network provider — but the city has since assumed control of the service due to financial issues, in part, compounded by the increased cost of calls not matching the money the group was getting back from all insurers, private and public, according to City Administrator Mike Nardini.

Wellmark vs. City of Pella rate (residents could pay the difference, depending on deductible from insurance)
Basic Life Support from $387 to $650
Basic Life Support – Emergent from $620 to $750
Advanced Life Support from $480 to $900
Advanced Life Support – Emergent from $735 to $1,000
Mileage Reimbursement from $13/mile to $29/mile

For non-Medicare/Medicaid patients, the city intends to use the Income Offset Program for outstanding balances which are not paid by the patient. This program is a method used by the State of Iowa to collect money owed through tax refunds, Iowa Lottery winnings, Iowa casino jackpots, and other winnings, as well as payments to vendors for goods and services.

Later this month, city staff is also planning to meet with other government entities outside of the corporate limits — with the intent to inform those groups that there will need to be contracts in place in order to receive continued ambulance service.

No formal action was taken at Tuesday’s meeting, and agreements with out-of-city entities served by Pella Community Ambulance need to be approved by council by the end of this year.