WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS PASS AGREEMENT FOR EMS INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT

  

Washington County Commissioners approved an agreement today (Tuesday) that is intended to speed up how quickly the county receives insurance reimbursement for EMS.

Similar to an agreement approved in October with Baylor Scott & White, this agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas relates to EMS transport rates for patients on Blue Cross Blue Shield plans.

Commissioner Kirk Hanath said the county’s reimbursement collections have historically been slowed down by the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process, which involves a third-party arbitrator who determines what commercial insurance providers pay on claims if they refuse to pay a certain amount during negotiations.  By establishing a contracted rate, the agreement means the IDR process can be avoided, which should result in revenue making its way to the county sooner. 

In other business, commissioners voted to declare miscellaneous items as surplus property and approve their sale through Legacy Auctions.  Expo Director Harrison Williams said this is for the sale of old rodeo and barn equipment.  Williams said the auction for the rodeo equipment, which will be a virtual sale, will be April 25^th, while the sale for the barn equipment will take place in August. 

Also at today’s meeting, commissioners:

• Approved appointments to the Homeland Security Advisory Committee.  The appointments consist of Misti Hartstack Corn, Precinct 1 County Commissioner; John Chancellor, Blinn College Police Chief; Kevin Deramus, Washington County EMS Director; Larry Neveux, Washington County citizen; Bryan Ruemke, Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator; Jesus Montes, Washington County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant; Steven Eilert, Brenham Police Lieutenant; Mark Pennybacker, Washington County Citizens on Patrol; Mark Donovan, City of Brenham Fire Chief; David Cella, City of Brenham Fire Department Assistant Chief.
• Read a proclamation declaring the month of April as Child Abuse Awareness Month in Washington County.
• Received the Office of Emergency Management’s quarterly report.