CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – Horry County is considering adding more options for collecting EMS bills in an effort to regain some of the millions of dollars that go unpaid every year.
News 13 first reported on unpaid EMS bills almost a year ago. Since that time, the county has already made some changes.
A year ago the county’s collection process consisted of five employees who manually mailed letters across the country to people who did not pay their bills. Now the county has a third party company that county officials say have more resources to do the work.
But they’re still looking to cut the delinquent bills down even more.
“People that have the service, that are provided a service and it’s a bill that needs to paid,” said Horry County Spokesperson Lisa Bourcier.
The county is considering a few options the first is a collection agency.
Unlike the current third party billing company, a collection agency would use more aggressive methods to get people to pay their bills.
Bourcier says no one living in Horry County would be sent to a collection agency.
But according to county research more than 70 percent of EMS riders live in Horry County
News 13 has reported in the past, thousands of people are repeat offenders, some with as many as 30 visits in a year and thousands of dollars in unpaid bills.
We asked what the benefits are of a collection agency if it won’t be used for the majority of riders; Bourcier says that’s where the other option comes in.
“Hardship Assistance is another option for people and you may see more people falling into that category,” she said.
Depending on a person’s income or poverty level, the county will drop the cost of charges.
According to poverty guidelines it’s possible a portion or the entire bill may be written off.
“Something is always better than nothing,” said Bourcier.
Thursday the county’s administration committee approved the new changes.
The final step is County Council approval. Bourcier says the county will meet on February 9th and vote on the new resolution.
