Thursday, January 28, 1999
Ambulance runs could cost insurers
Companies would be billed effective in April
BY LEW MOORES
The Cincinnati Enquirer
DELHI TOWNSHIP — Insurance companies of township residents could be billed for ambulance runs under a plan being considered by township trustees.
Trustee Nick LaScalea said the plan could go into effect in April should trustees approve it.
“For all intents and purposes, it's a completed deal,” said Mr. LaScalea.
Both township and fire offi cials stress the plan would not pose financial difficulties for residents.
“There will be no out-of-pocket expenses for anybody,” said Mr. LaScalea.
“We want to make this as simple as we can,” said Delhi Fire Capt. Tim Keene.
“Our intent in doing this is not to cause hardship to anyone. We're not out to gouge anyone. The bottom line is no out-of-pocket expenses to the resident.”
The idea to bill insurance companies for emergency medical services — ambulance runs — was prompted by recent federal rules that have stopped hospitals from restocking fire departments with supplies, such as bandages, used during ambulance runs, said Capt. Keene.
“In the past, hospitals have always replaced supplies,” said Capt. Keene. “Now they're not.”
With Delhi Township's fire department making about 1,900 emergency medical service runs a year, the township expects to realize about $300,000, said Capt. Keene.
The money would be used to pay for resupplying the ambulances at a cost of about $26,000, as well as defraying the cost of new equipment for the fire department.
Capt. Keene said, for instance, that a new heart moni tor used by life squads can run as high as $17,500.
Billing procedure
Trustees still have to work out a procedure for billing and look into hiring a firm to do the billing. Generally, ambulance runs average about $400 each.
“It's a done deal, but it still has to be formalized,” said Mr. LaScalea. “It could happen sometime in April if we're done with the paperwork. It's needed.”
Little reaction
There has not been much reaction to the plan — yet, say officials.
“What I expect are a lot of questions,” said Capt. Keene. “I hope we get an opportunity to explain it. We'll show them that this is not going to be a hardship on anyone.
“We still want them to call 911 and not worry about the bill.”
Avoid tax increase
By billing insurance companies of residents for ambulance runs, the township may be able to avoid having to ask voters to increase taxes for fire protection in the future.
The demand for fire services increases as population grows, and the equipment for fire protection gets more costly as it gets more sophisticated, Capt. Keene said.
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