Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday 10/28/21
28 October 2021 News
Ripon Common Council Gives Preliminary Approval On Outsourcing Ambulance Billing
The Ripon Common Council this week gave preliminary approval to turning over the city’s EMS billing and collection services for Ripon Guardian Ambulance over to LifeQuest Services. City staff isn’t able to adequately handle the current billing and collection services due to increased call volume and limited staff resources. It’s estimated 70 percent of the bills for ambulance calls have some sort of write off. City Administrator Adam Sonntag reminded the Council that they recently wrote off over $34,000 in delinquent ambulance billing. LifeQuest, which is headquartered in Wautoma, has over 25 years specializing in EMS and Fire accounts. They serve more than 230 EMS, Fire and Hazmat clients across 22 states. That includes client partners in Wisconsin such as the cities of Oshkosh, Eau Claire, the village of North Fond du Lac, and the Green Bay Metro Fire Department. It is anticipated that LifeQuest will be able to move quicker than the city of Ripon on collections and that it would actually increase the city’s revenues on ambulance billings. Sonntag says City Attorney Lud Wurtz completed his review of the contract with LifeStar this week and the Common Council will consider final approval at its next meeting. The contract with LifeStar will begin at the start of 2022.
Oshkosh Face Mask Requirement Extended
The City of Oshkosh has extended its policy requiring employees and visitors inside city-operated buildings to wear face coverings, regardless of their vaccination status. The requirement will remain in place through November 30th and will be re-evaluated at that time. City staff will monitor the COVID case count in Winnebago County and continue to follow CDC guidance. Face coverings will continue to be required on city buses as well.
Michigan Allowing Insurance Companies To Bill For COVID Treatment
Michigan is allowing insurance companies to bill its customers for costs associated with the treatment of COVID-19. Jeff Puhlmann-Becker of the Ripon Community COVID-19 Task Force says other states could follow suit allowing co-pays and out-of-pocket costs for treatment and hospitalization. Testing and vaccination would still be free. He says insurance companies have been writing off the costs of treatment, but with vaccines widely available and more people seeking treatment for other medical conditions they are now considering billing for that treatment. He notes one estimate by a non-profit organization put the average cost of a complex hospitalization at $317,000. Meanwhile Boston University estimated the out-of-pocket costs would have been $3,800 and Medicare costs would have been about $1,500 if waivers had not been in effect in the past.
Driving Reminders
Ripon Police Chief Bill Wallner has a couple reminders for drivers before they hit the road in the mornings or coming back from work. He says this is the time of year when we see an increase in car versus deer accidents, which can cause a lot of damage and in some cases lead to injuries or death. He recommends being especially vigilant around dawn and dusk. He also asks motorists to make sure they defrost their car windows or scrape the frost off of them before venturing out. In the past his officers have seen drivers trying to negotiate their way down the road with a softball size hole to see through on their front windshield. He stresses that you can be cited for driving with an obstructed view or worse could put a child or pedestrian’s welfare at risk if you can’t see where you are going.
National Lead Poisoning Week
The Fond du Lac County Health Department is doing its part for National Lead Poisoning Week by providing education on childhood lead poisoning. About 3.3 million American households, including 2.1 million low-income households, have children under 6 years of age who live in homes with lead exposure hazards. Even relatively low levels of lead exposure can impair a child’s cognitive development. Lead can be found inside and outside the home, including in the water that travels through lead pipes or in the soil around the house. However, the most common source of exposure for children is from lead-based paint, which was used in many homes built before 1978. Children can also be exposed from some metal toys which are painted with lead based paint. More information is available at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website or by calling the Fond du Lac County Health Department at 920-929-3085.
Lead-Safe Wisconsin | Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Manufacturing Month
Envision Greater Fond du Lac President and CEO Sadie Parafiniuk says she’s glad Wisconsin takes the time in October to recognize our manufacturers with Manufacturing Month. She says it is the backbone of our economy especially in Fond du Lac County where it is the Number 1 industry. She says there are quite a few manufacturers in Ripon ranging from large companies like Alliance Laundry Systems, Smucker’s and Accurate Controls to the mom and pop tool and die shops, welders and fabricators. Parafiniuk points out jobs in manufacturing can provide well-paying jobs and long careers as well.
Opening For Columbia County Emergency Management Coordinator
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is recruiting for the Emergency Management Coordinator position. The position is a managerial position within the Sheriff’s Office, under the direction and appointment of the Sheriff. The coordinator supervises staff within the Emergency Management Office and has direct responsibility for the organization, administration, and operation of the county’s emergency management services. It requires on-call responsibilities. Qualifications and salary for the position can be found on the Columbia County Sheriff’s Facebook page. The application deadline is Friday.
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