Responsibilty vs. Liens for EMS bills

[Guest guest]

I am all for leins to compensate for EMS bills not being paid.

We are responsible for our affairs whether male or female, black or

white, short or tall, young or old, brilliant or a dumbass, etc. If

this were not the case, maybe I could go out and buy a new car every

week because, hell... I ain't payin' for it! Just sign the line and

keep rollin'. What are they going to do? Take it away? I'll just

get another one next week. I HOPE no one is surprised that this is

NOT how life operates - at least not for the majority.

Unfortunately, a growing segment of society seems to share this

view. Getting back to the EMS subject of this post... leins for

outstanding EMS fees... Impose leins against those who have not paid

their bills AND the ambulance was not a " medical necessity " . Scared

people won't call for an ambulance? I assure you that they will - as

long as the resource is available, they'll continue to use it to a

point that it is " worn down to a nub " .

Whether EMS is public or private, increasing utilization rates and

decreasing is not a good combination. The fire department I am

employed does not want any mention of payment, money, or cost to

people when discussing transport via an ambulance. I agree with this

to an extent. If the person strictly needs " a ride " to the hospital

and the patient is deciding whether to go with us OR go on their own,

they should be informed of their financially responsibility when

insurance or medicaid does not pay because ambulance transport was

not medically necessary. This information is listed on the PCR

anyway where they sign and it is their right to know. BTW, my FD

requires us to transport ANYONE who wants to go by ambulance.

Putting two and two together, it does not take one long to have the

seedling of the idea of " go by ambulance and get seen right away "

planted firmly in his or her head. My answer is this is quite

simple... After they sign the PCR or refuse to, I WALK them into the

traige area of the ER and make sure that the staff has a crystal

clear understanding that our patient needs meds, big toe hurts, upset

because his boy/girlfreind left him, too lazy to drive, etc. The

patient is then sent to the ER admitting/waiting room to stand and

wait his/her turn in line like everyone else. Not only does s/he

continue to wait his/her turn for the ER (clinic), but they also have

a HELLUVA taxi bill. THIS IS THE TYPE OF PATIENT THAT SHOULD GET A

LEIN WHEN S/HE DOESN'T PAY HIS/HER AMBULANCE BILL.

[Guest guest]

1. Hey, sign your post please.

2. Remember the rule for being able to place a lien.

3. Hope you never get burned on the WALK to the ER part. You would not be

the first.

Joby Berkley

Responsibilty vs. Liens for EMS bills

> I am all for leins to compensate for EMS bills not being paid.

>

> We are responsible for our affairs whether male or female, black or

> white, short or tall, young or old, brilliant or a dumbass, etc. If

> this were not the case, maybe I could go out and buy a new car every

> week because, hell... I ain't payin' for it! Just sign the line and

> keep rollin'. What are they going to do? Take it away? I'll just

> get another one next week. I HOPE no one is surprised that this is

> NOT how life operates - at least not for the majority.

>

> Unfortunately, a growing segment of society seems to share this

> view. Getting back to the EMS subject of this post... leins for

> outstanding EMS fees... Impose leins against those who have not paid

> their bills AND the ambulance was not a " medical necessity " . Scared

> people won't call for an ambulance? I assure you that they will - as

> long as the resource is available, they'll continue to use it to a

> point that it is " worn down to a nub " .

>

> Whether EMS is public or private, increasing utilization rates and

> decreasing is not a good combination. The fire department I am

> employed does not want any mention of payment, money, or cost to

> people when discussing transport via an ambulance. I agree with this

> to an extent. If the person strictly needs " a ride " to the hospital

> and the patient is deciding whether to go with us OR go on their own,

> they should be informed of their financially responsibility when

> insurance or medicaid does not pay because ambulance transport was

> not medically necessary. This information is listed on the PCR

> anyway where they sign and it is their right to know. BTW, my FD

> requires us to transport ANYONE who wants to go by ambulance.

> Putting two and two together, it does not take one long to have the

> seedling of the idea of " go by ambulance and get seen right away "

> planted firmly in his or her head. My answer is this is quite

> simple... After they sign the PCR or refuse to, I WALK them into the

> traige area of the ER and make sure that the staff has a crystal

> clear understanding that our patient needs meds, big toe hurts, upset

> because his boy/girlfreind left him, too lazy to drive, etc. The

> patient is then sent to the ER admitting/waiting room to stand and

> wait his/her turn in line like everyone else. Not only does s/he

> continue to wait his/her turn for the ER (clinic), but they also have

> a HELLUVA taxi bill. THIS IS THE TYPE OF PATIENT THAT SHOULD GET A

> LEIN WHEN S/HE DOESN'T PAY HIS/HER AMBULANCE BILL.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

... I just wanted to clarify that issue of payment should

never be an issue with someone experiencing a legitimate medical

emergency or injury. I know " legitimate " is a term open to

discussion but for arguements sake but my " right to know " payment

speech is reserved for those who are about to get " escorted " from

the ambulance to triage.

DFW

[Guest guest]

" Yeah, it's a LOT more fun to wheel them into triage anyway, that way

everybody gets to see that coming by ambulance doesn't get you in

first. I'm covered, the patient has nothing to complain about and

the liability is on the ER. The look of shock and confusion on the

face of somebody who thinks they fooled the system and got ahead of

everybody else is priceless. "

I am down with that! You're cool and the gang!

DFW