|
|
|
Problems persist for EMS service in Robertson Co.
|
By BETTY COUTANT- Staff Writer
|
CARLISLE - They thought they solved the problem months ago.
But Robertson County magistrates learned Thursday during a joint meeting with Nicholas County Fiscal Court they will continue to deal with the problem of providing emergency medical service to county residents.
The fiscal court entered into an agreement with Bracken and Nicholas counties in September to provide EMS and ambulance services to county residents after the county disbanded its beleaguered EMS.
Nicholas County agreed to cover the southern half of Robertson County including Mount Olivet and Robertson County Health Care Facility in exchange for $5,000 per year and an ambulance valued at nearly $60,000.
Bracken County agreed to cover the rest of the county.
The merger was facilitated by the state after Robertson County lost its Certificate of Need and "ceased being a county at least from the EMS standpoint," Kentucky Board of EMS Executive Director Brian Bishop said.
American Emergency Resour-ces has provided EMS and ambulance service to Nicholas County since July and agreed to pick up Robertson County in the belief the arrangement would be more lucrative.
The company instead is bleeding money and approached both courts Thursday in hopes of obtaining further compensation, above what the contract calls for.
Dr. Tony Abano, medical director and CEO of AER, said the addition of Robertson County has nothing to do with the financial difficulties and Nicholas County is better off as a result of its inclusion because of the condition of the ambulance the county supplied.
The problem is AER's compensation for runs is almost half the national average of 65 percent, Abano said.
After six months of operation, a trend has developed indicating AER will only receive 36 percent of the money it bills, Abano said.
AER uses the same billing company as the previous EMS provider and the figures are not likely to change, Abano said.
When the company took over operations it expected to increase ambulance runs by 50 percent and collect the national average of 65 percent on billing, Abano said.
It was able to increase bill collection by 5 percent, and ambulance runs by 15 percent, but that is not enough to stop the outward flow of money, he said.
The company also spent more than $100,000 upgrading equipment, replacing medication and renovating sub-par facilities, but was not asking for reimbursement of those costs.
Robertson County Magistrate Terry Cracraft questioned the wisdom of the improvements.
"Shouldn't you have waited three months before you sunk all that money into the facility?" Cracraft asked.
"Yes. Mistakes were made. Yes, we could have done better," Abano replied.
Members of both courts indicated to Abano his company needs to find a way to increase collection figures.
"That 36 percent we cannot change. Those are just what the demographics are," Abano said.
The company is required by contract to provide an ambulance supplied with Advance Life Support equipment and added one with Basic Life Support equipment in order to ensure ambulances would be available should both counties have a need at the same time.
"The second truck was the killer," Abano said. Payroll to operate two trucks in Nicholas and Robertson counties exceeds the company's payroll in Florence, Abano said.
Nicholas County Magistrate Daryl Stacy complained frequently the addition of Robertson County to the agreement was detrimental to Nicholas County residents and caused AER to be out of compliance with the original contract.
The contract calls for one ambulance to be staffed on a 24-hour per day, seven day per week basis inside Nicholas County.
"I share your concern. That's why we put on the second truck," Abano said.
Nicholas County Magistrate Steve Hamilton asked if a second ALS ambulance could be added.
"We can't afford it," Abano replied. To add an additional (ALS) ambulance would cause AER to lose $300,000 per year, he said.
After more than two hours of discussion Nicholas County Magistrate Jeff Randolph asked the question that was on everybody's mind.
"How much additional money are we talking about tonight?"
Abano would not be pinned down, but he said a flat $60,000 or $10,000 each month minus company receipts, would keep the service going until July.
No decision was made Thursday, but indications from both courts were neither has extra money in the budget.
Nicholas County also indicated the court would hold AER to its contract.
"We definitely need a bottom line (to make a decision) as to what you need from us ... As far as I'm concerned you have a binding contract," Nicholas County Judge-Executive Larry Tincher said.
Both courts said decisions would be made at the next regular meeting. Nicholas County meets again Feb. 11, Robertson County will meet again Feb. 21.
Abano said once a decision is made by the courts it will be taken to the AER board of directors which will decide the company's next step.
"If we don't come up with the supplemental money, what's your next step?" Nicholas County Magistrate Billy G. Dixon asked.
"We will take your decision to our board of directors ... I do not know what they would do - it would likely be drastic," Abano said. |
|
|
Reader Comments
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.
Add your own comments:
|
|
|
Jobs
Homes
Cars