The Town Council in Merrillville, Indiana is reviewing whether to hire a collection agency to help recover up to $1.9 million in ambulance bills that remain unpaid years after the town disbanded its Emergency Management Services.
Merrillville Clerk-treasurer Gene Guernsey said a local collection agency, which was not named, has said the town would receive 67% of what it collects, compared to the 60% the town would get if it takes the delinquent payers to court.
Guernsey said the town will not seek any money from Medicare or Medicaid patients or those who have been making payments, even as low as $5 a month. But others likely will be hearing from a collection agency soon.
The Indiana State Board of Accounts, in its audit of the town’s books, says delinquent EMS accounts for Merrillvile - located 30 miles from Chicago - date from January 1999 to January 2008.
Collections & Credit Risk wants to hear if your agency is collecting for a local government. Contact Darren Waggoner at darren.waggoner@sourcemedia.com or 312.777.1379.
