City of Norwich - Emergency Medical Services Billing (2019M-112)

Issued Date
August 16, 2019

[read complete report - pdf]

Audit Objective

Determine whether City officials effectively managed emergency medical services (EMS) billing.

Key Findings

  • The EMS Department did not bill for 614 incidents resulting in $417,600 of unbilled medical services and inaccurately billed 9 incidents totaling $8,300; this equates to approximately $200,000 in lost revenue at the current rate of collection.
  • No one reconciles the billings to the medical services provided.
  • The EMS Department had 903 unserviceable incidents resulting in approximately $400,000 in unrecoverable costs.

Key Recommendations

  • Ensure that all services provided are billed appropriately in accordance with the adopted rate schedule.
  • Routinely reconcile billings to medical services provided.
  • Consider addressing whether the EMS Department should bill for unserviceable incidents.

City officials disagreed with certain aspects of our findings and recommendations, but indicated they have initiated corrective action. Appendix B includes our comments on issues raised in the City’s response letter.