News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Putnam County Commission voted Monday to write off nearly $788,000 in uncollectible debt from the EMS department.
Commissioner Donnie Buttram said the figure actually comes in lower than several surrounding counties.
“In comparison with a couple of counties around us, we have done quite well,” Buttram said. “Smith County, which is quite a bit slower in call volume than Putnam, is writing off $1,285,000.”
Buttram said Cumberland County wrote off about $915,000 in uncollectible debt for EMS this year.
$625,363 in debt will come off the new billing service with Mars AMB and $162,530 from the old billing system used by EMS.
“It’s unfortunate, but a normal thing in health care,” EMS Director Tommy Copeland said.
Copeland said the county changed from an internal to external billing system about three years ago.
