After an autumn of angst over the impending expiration at the end of the month of Porter County’s ambulance contract with Northwest Health, the county and hospital have come to a two-year agreement at an annual cost of $1.5 million for a minimum of four advanced life support and one basic life support ambulances. It’s a considerable, but expected, increase from the yearly ambulance subsidy of $450,000 the county currently pays.
The contract was unanimously approved by the Board of Commissioners at a special meeting Thursday evening and calls for an automatic extension for an additional three years unless the county provides written notice six months prior to the end of the initial term. Each ALS ambulance will be staffed by at least one certified paramedic and one EMT, while the BLS ambulance will be staffed by at least two EMTs.
The county will also provide up to $200,000 per year in performance-based capital funding with up to $120,000 of the 2026 funding made available to outfit the interior of an ambulance. A committee comprised of the Porter County E-911 Director, a representative of the Porter County Board of Commissioners, a representative or designee of the Porter County Council, two citizen members with experience in emergency response, public administration, or healthcare appointed by the board of commissioners, and one non-voting member of Northwest Health EMS administration will conduct monthly performance reviews based on average response time, average unit availability and readiness, clinical and operational quality, and mutual aid usage.
The committee’s verified score and recommendations will then be passed on to the board of commissioners who may authorize the monthly bonus of up to $16,667. “Northwest Health shall ensure uninterrupted coverage through equipment rotation, scheduling, or other measures, including coordination with mutual aid providers when appropriate,” the contract reads.
Northwest Health is permitted under the contract to perform out-of-county transfers to destinations in neighboring counties if said transfers don’t “materially impact” system coverage or response times. Long-distance transfers — those beyond neighboring counties — require Northwest Health to first attempt to secure another provider to perform the transfer. Only if such an alternative is not available may Northwest Health perform the transfer and it must be documented and explained at the next review committee meeting.
Northwest Health is also bound by the contract to notify the Porter County E-911 director when a contracted ambulance is assigned to a long-distance transfer expected to impact coverage.
“I think it was very well done,” said Commissioner Barb Regnitz, R-Center. “Congratulations on the committee.”
There will be no restrictions on patient or physician right to request a particular destination upon ambulance transport. Subcontractors for part or all of provided services are permitted in the contract. Northwest Health will be entitled to an inflationary adjustment beginning Jan. 1 of contract year 2.
The annual base funding will increase by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the 12-month period ending June 30 of the preceding year with a cap of 5%.
Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/22/porter-county-northwest-health-reach-ems-deal/
