TOPSHAM

After discussions with police and fire departments, Topsham officials will consider outsourcing billing for emergency medical services.

Selectmen will take up the matter at their 7 p.m. meeting Thursday in the municipal building.

Consideration of restructuring a police administrative position to handle the need has been discarded, and outsourcing the billing is back on the table.

Fire Chief Chris McLaughlin has suggested the move, hoping to increase revenues and decrease the time his members spend on the paperwork — so they can spend more time in helping those who need it. The department received 1,267 calls in 2017, he said, adding that it brings in revenues of about $300,000 annually.

In his research, McLaughlin said the department would have to pay a percentage of its revenue — 6 percent, or about $18,000. That would be an increase from the approximately $4,500 the town pays for its billing software now, but McLaughlin thinks an outside billing company would increase the department’s revenues to offset that expense. He noted that Gardiner saw a 10 percent increase in revenue just by switching companies.

“With a billing company, they are able to follow up,” said Town Manager Rich Roedner. “You don’t have a firefighter who’s primary responsibility is handling calls.”

Topsham currently has one staff member on the fire department handling the billing. Although not every call comes with a bill, they must still be processed. It takes about 16 hours of work to process 37 calls.

chris@timesrecord.com