N.J. Medical Center to Outsource Ambulance Transport

[NYCEMS9115]

Look as another Hospital pulls out of the Ambulance Business. With the cost of Healthcare rising; technology playing a big part in the increase in costs; people living longer; reimbursements at a low and not paying; people who depend on Entitlement Programs are increasing; unemployment; refusal of increase taxes; improper spending of tax dollars; among other things: has cause the demise in healthcare.

You can bill for X amount; doesn't mean you'll get that amount paid. The only "Business" where you get services rendered before payment. Where Emergency Services can not be withheld because of one's inability to pay. Going above and beyond is not cost effective. Service Awards, Merit Citations, Letters of Commendation, Celebratory Galas, and Salutations do not pay the bills. Anything multiplied by "0" equals ZERO.

We can grieve, gripe, and gather; it won't do anything. Healthcare Services will downsized and outsource; it has to or it will end up closing. A few dozen jobs lost is better than a few hundred. EMS for a Hospital is not money generating; its not necessary. Especially,if someone else can do it for less or free.

Ex. If an Ambulance transports a patient to the ER from home; the crew provided great care; they even traveled miles further than the closest ER because the family and patient insisted. Appropriate care was rendered; O2, V/S, ECG, IV, & Medications. The receiving ER were very please with the care the crew provided. The crew even assisted the ER Staff in the Triage Vitals, locating a stretcher; even cleaned and made the bed. The paperwork was completely and very thorough. The crew's Manager reviews the call and the paperwork; it was done properly. The Manager received a phone call from the family; praising the crew. The family had nothing but great things to say about the crew. The paperwork was forwarded to the Billing Department; the patient has NYS Medicaid: claims were submitted to Medicaid; no itemization, Medicaid won't pay for Pre-hosiptal Emergency or Non-Emergency Care; it pays for Transportation only; you can travel 0.1-100miles; one Flat Fee. A week later the family wrote a Letter of Commendation and had sent it to the President of the Hospital. A Special thank you from the President was given to the EMS Department. Weeks later, Medicaid Reimburses the Payment for the Transport. A BIG CHECK of $140.00. Would have received the same money; if the patient sat on the bench and was just taken to the ER.

That's why the Privates have survived and will continue to; if the State of Healthcare remains the same. Its all about Volume. We need to restructure Healthcare; meaning many people will not be happy who have Entitlement or HMO/PPO/CMO/EPO Insurance.; think that's majority of us.

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