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

GOP candidate Bailey urges Trump to apologize to pope; bishop calls for dialogue

GOP candidate Bailey urges Trump to apologize to pope; bishop calls for dialogue

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After President Donald Trump refused to apologize for his social media criticism of Pope Leo XIV, a...
Senator says taxpayers fleeced by corrections department

Senator says taxpayers fleeced by corrections department

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Corrections is facing questions over its failure to comply with state law while...
Illinois Quick Hits: CTU-backed senator launches 'tax the rich' campaign

Illinois Quick Hits: CTU-backed senator launches ‘tax the rich’ campaign

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois legislator backed by the Chicago Teachers Union is renewing her call to tax the rich...
Lawmaker slams Illinois tuition bill favoring illegal immigrants

Lawmaker slams Illinois tuition bill favoring illegal immigrants

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, is raising concerns about a proposal he says would expand access...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Goble, Gilbert Combine for No-Hitter as Casey-Westfield Routs Lawrenceville 13-0

Senior Ava Goble and sophomore G. Gilbert combined to throw a five-inning no-hitter, pacing the Casey-Westfield varsity softball team to a dominant 13-0 conference victory on the road against Lawrenceville...
Illinois Quick Hits: $3M in taxpayer funds go to Chicago neighborhood center

Illinois Quick Hits: $3M in taxpayer funds go to Chicago neighborhood center

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers have provided $3 million for a new neighborhood center on Chicago’s Southwest Side. Gov. J.B....
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Capitalizes on Mistakes to Blank Arthur-Okaw Christian 10-0

The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team took full advantage of a struggling Arthur-Okaw Christian defense on Monday afternoon, cruising to a 10-0, five-inning non-conference victory on their home diamond. The Warriors’...
Screenshot 2026-04-08 at 5.36.31 PM

Casey Council Transfers Vacant Lots to Central Illinois Land Bank Authority

Casey City Council Meeting | April 6, 2026 Article Summary: The City of Casey will transfer a pair of vacant, city-owned lots to the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority to...
Temu, Shein hit with class actions demanding tariff refunds

Temu, Shein hit with class actions demanding tariff refunds

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Online Chinese discount marketplace giants Temu and Shein have each been hit with nationwide class action lawsuits, demanding they repay customers for...
Illinois has most government units, but consolidation brings challenges

Illinois has most government units, but consolidation brings challenges

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new report says Illinois is among the most fragmented states in the nation when it comes...
Illinois quick hits: Southwest to lay off 107 as O'Hare service ends

Illinois quick hits: Southwest to lay off 107 as O’Hare service ends

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Southwest to lay off 107 as O'Hare service ends According to an Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice, 107...
State House passes 133 bills, many potential impacts for Illinoisans

State House passes 133 bills, many potential impacts for Illinoisans

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois House of Representatives passed a total of 133 bills last week, sending them to the...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Breese Central Powers Past Casey-Westfield 7-1 in Saturday Afternoon Clash

The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team saw its Saturday momentum stifled in the afternoon cap of a home slate, falling 7-1 to a formidable Breese Central squad in non-conference action at...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Early Offensive Surge Propels Casey-Westfield Past Farina South Central 6-4

The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team relied on a flurry of early-inning offense to secure a 6-4 non-conference victory over visiting Farina South Central on Saturday morning at Jerald Barr Field....
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Goble Tosses Shutout, Homers to Lead Casey-Westfield Past Murphysboro 3-0

Senior Ava Goble delivered a masterful two-way performance on Saturday, pitching a complete-game shutout and hitting a home run to propel the Casey-Westfield varsity softball team to a 3-0 home...