Clark County Ambulance Service Faces Critical Level Zero Instances Amid Medicaid Collection Issues

Spread the love

Clark County Board Meeting | February 20, 2026

Article Summary: The Clark County Ambulance Service reported hitting “level zero” availability six times over a single weekend, while simultaneously navigating revenue shortfalls caused by Medicaid processing errors and misdirected county funds.

Clark County Board Key Points:

  • Ambulance call volume has been extremely busy, resulting in the service hitting level zero six times over a recent weekend.

  • Collections are currently down due to a Medicaid issue, which the department has identified and is working to correct.

  • A separate financial issue involved ambulance funds being mistakenly directed to the Health Department.

  • A new ambulance is nearing completion and will soon join the active fleet.

The Clark County Board on Friday, February 20, 2026, reviewed a challenging monthly report from the Clark County Ambulance Service (CCAS), detailing periods of critical unavailability, billing hurdles, and administrative funding errors.

Chace Bramlett delivered the ambulance report for January 2026 during the committee reports section of the meeting. According to the minutes, Bramlett reported that call volume has been “extremely busy.” The high demand recently forced the service to operate at “level zero”—meaning no ambulances were available to dispatch—six times over a single weekend. Despite the strain on resources, Bramlett assured the board that response times have remained “very good.”

The department is also actively untangling a pair of financial complications. Bramlett reported that revenue collections have been down recently due to a specific issue with Medicaid processing. He noted that the source of the problem has been found and staff members are currently working to correct it.

Additionally, Bramlett informed the board of an administrative error where some of the designated ambulance funds were mistakenly directed toward the county’s Health Department. Efforts are underway to correct the misallocation and return the funds to the ambulance service.

On a positive operational note, Bramlett announced that a new ambulance is expected to be completed soon and will be integrated into the active fleet to help shoulder the high call volumes. He is also collaborating with the Farm Bureau to establish another Tourniquet Program for the community.

Following the operational update, Board Member Brandon Burkybile announced that Bramlett has been formally nominated for Director of the Year. The board indicated it will be sending a letter in support of his nomination.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Glock: Judge’s OK of Chicago’s anti-gun lawsuit questionable, at best

Glock: Judge’s OK of Chicago’s anti-gun lawsuit questionable, at best

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Firearms maker Glock is asking for permission to appeal a Cook County judge's ruling allowing the city of Chicago to continue its...
Trump admin cracking down on cartel tunnels at southwest border

Trump admin cracking down on cartel tunnels at southwest border

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Trump administration is cracking down on Mexican cartel-dug tunnels at the southwest border. The tunnels are built and used to smuggle drugs, weapons, people...
Clark County Graphic.3

Clark County Audit Reveals Strong Financials, $20M in Expenditures for FY 2024

Clark County Board Meeting | September 19, 2025 Article Summary:An independent audit presented to the Clark County Board revealed the county is in a strong financial position with over $32.3...
Illinois quick hits: DHS responds to migrant release order

Illinois quick hits: DHS responds to migrant release order

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square DHS responds to migrant release order The U.S. Department of Homeland security issued a statement after a federal judge in Chicago...
As Trump considers rolling back some tariffs, trade groups want in

As Trump considers rolling back some tariffs, trade groups want in

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that the administration will soon announce tariff cuts to bring down prices for consumers. "You're going to see...
New Mexico attempts to counter Trump's deportation agenda

New Mexico attempts to counter Trump’s deportation agenda

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The New Mexico legislature is attempting to counter the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement measures. The Immigrant Safety Act, passed by the New Mexico House of...

WATCH: Newly released Epstein emails discussing Trump ‘prove nothing,’ says Leavitt

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Emails released Wednesday appear to show that President Donald Trump knew about Jeffrey Epstein’s involvement with underaged women, but the White House says the emails...
Pritzker disagrees with Durbin on vote to end shutdown

Pritzker disagrees with Durbin on vote to end shutdown

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he is disappointed that Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin voted in favor of...
Pritzker open to conversation with Trump on alderman’s immigration proposal

Pritzker open to conversation with Trump on alderman’s immigration proposal

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A letter from a Chicago alderman to President Donald Trump could lead to conversation with Illinois Gov....
Foundation Receives One of its Largest Gifts of all Time.1

Foundation Receives One of its Largest Gifts of all Time

Featured photo caption: Dan Icenogle and Debbie Kramer, the cousins of Randolph “Randy” Adkins, present Lake Land College with the second-largest cash gift in the history of the College’s Foundation....
Expert: Illinois’ outdated tax law leaves homeowners, taxpayers on the hook

Expert: Illinois’ outdated tax law leaves homeowners, taxpayers on the hook

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois remains the only state that hasn’t reformed its property tax sale system after the U.S....
Illinois quick hits: Midway Blitz nabs nine drunk drivers; Madigan prosecutor to depart

Illinois quick hits: Midway Blitz nabs nine drunk drivers; Madigan prosecutor to depart

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Midway Blitz nabs nine drunk drivers The Department of Homeland Security has released the names of nine foreign nationals arrested during...
Lawmakers divided after federal complaint targets student mental health screening law

Lawmakers divided after federal complaint targets student mental health screening law

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are responding after America First Legal (AFL) filed a federal complaint urging the U.S....
Normal, IL fire and EMS challenges highlight need for statewide task force

Normal, IL fire and EMS challenges highlight need for statewide task force

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A planned relocation of Normal’s Fire Station 2 sparks statewide concern over slow emergency response times,...
Analysis: Chicago among worst cities to drive in

Analysis: Chicago among worst cities to drive in

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (THE Center Square) – Republican Illinois state Sen. Steve McClure is speeding up the pace in his quest to make...