To date, the township has brought in $75,000 in revenue since implementing a new policy to bill third-party insurances for ambulance services that are provided from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In April, the Township Council unanimously approved the ordinance, which allows the township to contract with a professional medical billing service for the collection of payment for services by the township’s fire and emergency services personnel.
The bill is issued to the insurance company for the person served, if any, or directly to that person if insurance coverage is not available.
Officials said at the time of the ordinance’s adoption, though, that if a West Windsor resident requires an ambulance or emergency response, the resident’s insurance carrier will be charged. The resident, however, will not be responsible for covering the co-pay, nor will a resident without insurance be forced to pay the entire bill.
Officials said that federal regulations allow municipalities to waive the charges under the argument that residents already pay taxes for the services. They also pointed to other towns in most of the county that have similar ordinances.
Under the terms of the ordinance, if a township resident does not have insurance, the township covers the cost. If a township resident has insurance, the town won’t charge the balance.
Township officials had estimated that the new ordinance would generate some $200,000 in revenues annually.
Since its passage, the township has collected $75,000, but Hary said township officials hope to reach $100,000 by the end of the year. He said that there is a lay-over between the time that the bills go out and the time they are paid.
Resident Guy Pierson asked for a breakdown of the bills to see whether any residents were, in fact, being billed for the services, but Hary said he had to go through the figures and would get back to him.
