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County commission to review some EMS charges

A discussion Monday between Marion County Emergency Medical Services Director Darryl Thiesen and two Marion County Commissioners resulted in a review of ambulance charges.

The debate was a result of charges being billed in January to Legacy Park of Peabody following transporting residents as a result of no electricity following an ice storm.

Commissioner Randy Dallke had requested information be provided at the meeting by Thiesen as a result of a complaint made by the care facility.

Thiesen reported the entity was charged a total of $3,400. Of that amount, $400 remains unpaid. Thiesen said he charged for one ambulance run from Peabody to a Newton care facility. The remaining runs were at a reduced price. He also reported the county was reimbursed by FEMA for the charges not collected from the care facility.

Dallke then asked Thiesen if the county recovered costs incurred for fuel and personnel. Thiesen said "no."

Commissioner Dan Holub said the ice storm was a unique situation.

"Why should we charge more than our expenses in situations like this?" asked Holub.

Previously, the EMS department had fallen behind in billing customers for services due to inadequate computer software. The department has installed and trained county personnel to operate the updated software and has become current with billing.

The commission had made it clear to Thiesen at that time that all billings should be sent and promptly collected.

Thiesen said it was his understanding, and policy, to charge for calls regardless of the situation. He added he had talked with Legacy Park about the billing and explained a discount had been given.

Dallke said an ice storm was in the same category as floods, tornadoes, and other weather — related calamities and questioned the amount entities should be charged.

Holub added the department needed to provide a public service during these types of emergencies.

Commission chairman Bob Hein instructed Thiesen to review actual expenses and report to the commission at the next meeting.

Dallke also instructed Thiesen to bring bills such as this before the commission for approval.

In other EMS business:

— Thiesen reported there were 97 runs in September, but five were a part of an exercise conducted by St. Luke Hospital for a weapons of mass destruction drill.

Of those 93 calls, 22 were medical emergencies, 15 no transports, 11 each transfers and standbys, 10 falls, five cardiac, four other, and one turn around.

Hillsboro had 36 calls, Marion 21, Florence and Peabody had 13 each, and Tampa nine. There were seven first response runs — Goessel had four, Burns two, and Durham one. Marion rescue truck responded two times.

Compared with other months, there were 111 ambulance runs in January, 76 February, 57 March, 91 April, 87 May, 76 June, 86 July, and 88 August.

The commission approved $1,998 in write-offs for this quarter.

— A free CPR class will be offered Nov. 12 at Hillsboro High School.

— A new ambulance for Florence is in Nebraska having necessary equipment installed.

— Two defibrillators are budgeted to be purchased this year but Thiesen said he would like to wait until a later date in case an unexpected expense arises and encumber funds to make the purchases in 2006.

— A reciprocating saw recently was purchased for a rescue truck.

— Ambulances were on standby for Hillsboro's Arts & Crafts Fair, Marion's Art in the Park, Multiple Sclerosis Society Bike Tour, and Marion's Old Settlers' Day.

— EMS personnel participated in an Octoberfest parade at Lincolnville.

— A quality improvement meeting will be held Oct. 19.

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