By Kerry Rahm
krahm@wbcowqel.com
An unnamed woman complained about a costly ambulance bill to clerk Julie Cronau prior to the New Washington Village Council meeting Monday night, where Cronau recounted the issue to those in attendance.
A relative of the woman was recently transported to a healthcare facility by ambulance. This relative received a bill for $1000 for ambulance services. The relative had insurance, yet the claim for the ambulance transport was processed as “out-of-network” by the insurance company.
The woman called the relative’s insurance company and was told because of the out-of-network designation, the person transported was responsible for the bill. The woman called the ambulance company and was told the money could not be written off.
Mayor Ben Lash said that he thought that “people knew they would be responsible for that,” meaning ambulance services.
Cronau said, “As long as you get transported, you have to pay the bill.”
Lash noted that ambulance representatives are looking to hold a meeting sometime this month.
Two storm water drop boxes need to be rebuilt, according to Village Administrator Norm Lucius. The boxes are located at North Center Street and Cemetery Drive. Lucius said these particular boxes were “old brick ones” which “should be replaced with solid drop boxes.” Lucius said the hardest part of building new boxes is leveling them off, and Lucius said the village “would be better off hiring someone with the equipment that can do it right.”
Councilmember Brian Agin noticed that the sidewalks have been “worked on,” figuring that “at least three quarters of it has been done.” Sidewalks were pressure washed last week, on Sunday morning, and part of Monday morning, but foot traffic prevented the rest of the work from being finished.
Council President Joe Blum said he noticed a few of the fire hydrants in the area “looking rough.” He stated that he personally has not seen anyone paint or flush them in a long time. Lucius told Blum that he would look into the matter.