Re: Ambulance companies say Medicare bleeding them dry » Corpus Christi Caller-Times

[Guest guest]

The axe fell a few weeks ago. Before that it was bad, .....but the final cut

happened about 3 weeks ago.

The entire industry has collapsed. Companies shutting doors left and right.

Streets flooded with unemployed EMT's.

I saw it coming, but didn't expect the shut down this fast. When I started

transporting patients to and from the partial hospitals for psych....there were

maybe 10 companies transporting. Within 6 months, there were 60-70.

Dialysis stopped paying, everyone went to psych, and the PHP's. When I started

with my EMS operation in 1999, there were about 105 providers in this entire

region. Today, there are over 400.

I have seen a lot working with different companies. I have seen payments, kick

backs, even heard patients in waiting rooms complain that they didnt get their

check this month, and they were going to go find another service to ride with.

I was ON an Americare unit out in the field when the FBI & the Treasury Dept,

and several other entities hit their office.

The fraud has become insane. Something had to be done. Unfortunately....actual

qualified patients that rely on EMS transportation, are going to die. There will

be lawsuits, and court battles. Eventually the industry will rebound out of

necessity, but most companies will be gone.

I give it about 2 years, before we see a resurgence of non emergent EMS

transports.

Cougar!!

I'll keep my Guns, my Freedom and my MONEY,

You can keep the " CHANGE. "

Subject: Ambulance companies say Medicare bleeding them dry »

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

To: texasems-l

Date: Tuesday, March 1, 2011, 8:12 PM

 

Ron

http://www.caller.com/news/2011/mar/01/ambulance-companies-say-medicare-bleeding\

-them/

[Guest guest]

I agree. Myself like many here have seen our share of abuse and fruad. Some done

on purpose, others by mistake. I am hopefull that this will cuase most it not

all of the trash companies to close. In Houston, I simply cannot count the

number of garbage so called EMS companies out there. I do very for the honest

and hard working people that will pay the price for the greed of company owners.

Anyone who knows me , knows how I feel about EMS owners, some are the best

people who could ever know, but most, well never mind. Maybe, and this will make

some people here mad, maybe some of the EMS factories will close. Theses schools

want young students in so they can mae money and once they are done at the

school, good luck getting a decent paying job. I have to drive 60 miles twice a

day just to earn a liveable wage. Amybe this is the start of something good for

EMS.

Lawrence Verrett

________________________________

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..

[Guest guest]

Good greff, I hereby apologize for the bad spelling and grammer, the post I

sent was very early today, before the sun was up.  Now I was told, not sure

if

it is true or not, by a EMS owner that Texas is going to stop or limit the

number of new EMS companies in Houston. Also the by the end of the year all

companies or to use electroniic run sheets. Again this is second hand info.

Lawrence

________________________________

To: texasems-l

Sent: Wed, March 2, 2011 2:34:53 AM

Subject: Re: Ambulance companies say Medicare bleeding them dry »

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

 

I agree. Myself like many here have seen our share of abuse and fruad. Some done

on purpose, others by mistake. I am hopefull that this will cuase most it not

all of the trash companies to close. In Houston, I simply cannot count the

number of garbage so called EMS companies out there. I do very for the honest

and hard working people that will pay the price for the greed of company owners.

Anyone who knows me , knows how I feel about EMS owners, some are the best

people who could ever know, but most, well never mind. Maybe, and this will make

some people here mad, maybe some of the EMS factories will close. Theses schools

want young students in so they can mae money and once they are done at the

school, good luck getting a decent paying job. I have to drive 60 miles twice a

day just to earn a liveable wage. Amybe this is the start of something good for

EMS.

Lawrence Verrett

________________________________

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

..

[Guest guest]

Good greff, I hereby apologize for the bad spelling and grammer, the post I

sent was very early today, before the sun was up.  Now I was told, not sure

if

it is true or not, by a EMS owner that Texas is going to stop or limit the

number of new EMS companies in Houston. Also the by the end of the year all

companies or to use electroniic run sheets. Again this is second hand info.

Lawrence

________________________________

To: texasems-l

Sent: Wed, March 2, 2011 2:34:53 AM

Subject: Re: Ambulance companies say Medicare bleeding them dry »

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

 

I agree. Myself like many here have seen our share of abuse and fruad. Some done

on purpose, others by mistake. I am hopefull that this will cuase most it not

all of the trash companies to close. In Houston, I simply cannot count the

number of garbage so called EMS companies out there. I do very for the honest

and hard working people that will pay the price for the greed of company owners.

Anyone who knows me , knows how I feel about EMS owners, some are the best

people who could ever know, but most, well never mind. Maybe, and this will make

some people here mad, maybe some of the EMS factories will close. Theses schools

want young students in so they can mae money and once they are done at the

school, good luck getting a decent paying job. I have to drive 60 miles twice a

day just to earn a liveable wage. Amybe this is the start of something good for

EMS.

Lawrence Verrett

________________________________

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

..

[Guest guest]

The " CAP " on EMS companies would be nice! But then, you've got free

enterprise(?).

 

I figured the list of names has pretty run dry--- especially those starting with

the letter " A " so they can be first in the phone book yellow pages. 

 

Just about ANYONE who has $$$$$ can open up an EMS/Transfer service. It's the

quality of care and so on that becomes low level. Obviously, the quality

services will continue to do well and the FLY BY NIGHT MEDICARE GOUGERS will

FAIL !

 

YES !!!!!!  LIMIT THE SERVICES IN BIG CITIES.

 

Just my 2 cents worth--and you know I rarely say much!

Subject: Re: Ambulance companies say Medicare bleeding them dry »

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

To: texasems-l

Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 10:37 AM

 

Good greff, I hereby apologize for the bad spelling and grammer, the post I

sent was very early today, before the sun was up.  Now I was told, not sure

if

it is true or not, by a EMS owner that Texas is going to stop or limit the

number of new EMS companies in Houston. Also the by the end of the year all

companies or to use electroniic run sheets. Again this is second hand info.

Lawrence

________________________________

To: texasems-l

Sent: Wed, March 2, 2011 2:34:53 AM

Subject: Re: Ambulance companies say Medicare bleeding them dry »

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

 

I agree. Myself like many here have seen our share of abuse and fruad. Some done

on purpose, others by mistake. I am hopefull that this will cuase most it not

all of the trash companies to close. In Houston, I simply cannot count the

number of garbage so called EMS companies out there. I do very for the honest

and hard working people that will pay the price for the greed of company owners.

Anyone who knows me , knows how I feel about EMS owners, some are the best

people who could ever know, but most, well never mind. Maybe, and this will make

some people here mad, maybe some of the EMS factories will close. Theses schools

want young students in so they can mae money and once they are done at the

school, good luck getting a decent paying job. I have to drive 60 miles twice a

day just to earn a liveable wage. Amybe this is the start of something good for

EMS.

Lawrence Verrett

________________________________

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

..

[Guest guest]

The " CAP " on EMS companies would be nice! But then, you've got free

enterprise(?).

 

I figured the list of names has pretty run dry--- especially those starting with

the letter " A " so they can be first in the phone book yellow pages. 

 

Just about ANYONE who has $$$$$ can open up an EMS/Transfer service. It's the

quality of care and so on that becomes low level. Obviously, the quality

services will continue to do well and the FLY BY NIGHT MEDICARE GOUGERS will

FAIL !

 

YES !!!!!!  LIMIT THE SERVICES IN BIG CITIES.

 

Just my 2 cents worth--and you know I rarely say much!

Subject: Re: Ambulance companies say Medicare bleeding them dry »

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

To: texasems-l

Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 10:37 AM

 

Good greff, I hereby apologize for the bad spelling and grammer, the post I

sent was very early today, before the sun was up.  Now I was told, not sure

if

it is true or not, by a EMS owner that Texas is going to stop or limit the

number of new EMS companies in Houston. Also the by the end of the year all

companies or to use electroniic run sheets. Again this is second hand info.

Lawrence

________________________________

To: texasems-l

Sent: Wed, March 2, 2011 2:34:53 AM

Subject: Re: Ambulance companies say Medicare bleeding them dry »

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

 

I agree. Myself like many here have seen our share of abuse and fruad. Some done

on purpose, others by mistake. I am hopefull that this will cuase most it not

all of the trash companies to close. In Houston, I simply cannot count the

number of garbage so called EMS companies out there. I do very for the honest

and hard working people that will pay the price for the greed of company owners.

Anyone who knows me , knows how I feel about EMS owners, some are the best

people who could ever know, but most, well never mind. Maybe, and this will make

some people here mad, maybe some of the EMS factories will close. Theses schools

want young students in so they can mae money and once they are done at the

school, good luck getting a decent paying job. I have to drive 60 miles twice a

day just to earn a liveable wage. Amybe this is the start of something good for

EMS.

Lawrence Verrett

________________________________

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

..

[Guest guest]

Unfortunately, even the quality caregivers are being hit hard. ACE Ambulance, a

VERY professional company, is getting caught up in this.  Most employees have

left, and gotten jobs at hospitals or left the industry completely.

It is in my opinion that only the companies that can afford to shut down for a

couple years, and those that have hospital and private pay deals, are going to

be the only ones to survive.

Coug.

I'll keep my Guns, my Freedom and my MONEY,

You can keep the " CHANGE. "

Subject: Re: Ambulance companies say Medicare bleeding them dry »

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

To: texasems-l

Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 10:37 AM

 

Good greff, I hereby apologize for the bad spelling and grammer, the post I

sent was very early today, before the sun was up.  Now I was told, not sure

if

it is true or not, by a EMS owner that Texas is going to stop or limit the

number of new EMS companies in Houston. Also the by the end of the year all

companies or to use electroniic run sheets. Again this is second hand info.

Lawrence

________________________________

To: texasems-l

Sent: Wed, March 2, 2011 2:34:53 AM

Subject: Re: Ambulance companies say Medicare bleeding them dry »

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

 

I agree. Myself like many here have seen our share of abuse and fruad. Some done

on purpose, others by mistake. I am hopefull that this will cuase most it not

all of the trash companies to close. In Houston, I simply cannot count the

number of garbage so called EMS companies out there. I do very for the honest

and hard working people that will pay the price for the greed of company owners.

Anyone who knows me , knows how I feel about EMS owners, some are the best

people who could ever know, but most, well never mind. Maybe, and this will make

some people here mad, maybe some of the EMS factories will close. Theses schools

want young students in so they can mae money and once they are done at the

school, good luck getting a decent paying job. I have to drive 60 miles twice a

day just to earn a liveable wage. Amybe this is the start of something good for

EMS.

Lawrence Verrett

________________________________

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

..

[Guest guest]

Unfortunately, even the quality caregivers are being hit hard. ACE Ambulance, a

VERY professional company, is getting caught up in this.  Most employees have

left, and gotten jobs at hospitals or left the industry completely.

It is in my opinion that only the companies that can afford to shut down for a

couple years, and those that have hospital and private pay deals, are going to

be the only ones to survive.

Coug.

I'll keep my Guns, my Freedom and my MONEY,

You can keep the " CHANGE. "

Subject: Re: Ambulance companies say Medicare bleeding them dry »

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

To: texasems-l

Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 10:37 AM

 

Good greff, I hereby apologize for the bad spelling and grammer, the post I

sent was very early today, before the sun was up.  Now I was told, not sure

if

it is true or not, by a EMS owner that Texas is going to stop or limit the

number of new EMS companies in Houston. Also the by the end of the year all

companies or to use electroniic run sheets. Again this is second hand info.

Lawrence

________________________________

To: texasems-l

Sent: Wed, March 2, 2011 2:34:53 AM

Subject: Re: Ambulance companies say Medicare bleeding them dry »

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

 

I agree. Myself like many here have seen our share of abuse and fruad. Some done

on purpose, others by mistake. I am hopefull that this will cuase most it not

all of the trash companies to close. In Houston, I simply cannot count the

number of garbage so called EMS companies out there. I do very for the honest

and hard working people that will pay the price for the greed of company owners.

Anyone who knows me , knows how I feel about EMS owners, some are the best

people who could ever know, but most, well never mind. Maybe, and this will make

some people here mad, maybe some of the EMS factories will close. Theses schools

want young students in so they can mae money and once they are done at the

school, good luck getting a decent paying job. I have to drive 60 miles twice a

day just to earn a liveable wage. Amybe this is the start of something good for

EMS.

Lawrence Verrett

________________________________

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

..

[Guest guest]

Hmmmm...how do I answer this one.....I guess with just my honest feelings.

90% of the EMT's I meet today, I do not consider them EMT's. They have no

experience beyond transporting dialysis patients, writing down a B/P off otf the

machine, maybe a pulse ox reading or a d-stick, and trained on how to write a

good narrative. That's about it.

Run across an accident with people lying in the road that need medical

attention, I'd say 90% of the EMT's in Houston would freeze. They know nothing

about triage on a workable level, Never even HEARD of WMD,, would have NO clue

as to how to use the ERG book that is on the unit, have NO idea as to how to

actually drive an EMS unit....

I mean, what does it take to get an Emergency Ambulance Driver's Permit, in the

city of Houston?

Be a certified EMT (which contains NO driver education WHATSOEVER) Not been

convicted of a Felony in the past 7 years, have a half way decent driving

record, and 40.00 (oops....that just went up to 120.00) in your

pocket......thats IT.

WHO teaches today's EMT's 8 second lane changes, buffer spaces between you and

the vehicle in front of you, braking and acceleration techniques, Watching the

roadway ahead, and second guessing sudden stops, Keeping the truck bed level,

even during code 3 transport? No one. No one teaches that to today's EMT's.

Youngster EMTs gripe at me because I don't drive 20 MPH over the speed limit at

all times, even in non emergent transports, like they do. They have NO clue what

" center of gravity " even means, they want to drive the ambulance like it is a

corvette. (the people in the back suffer because of this, and in a wreck, guess

who usually dies....the medic.)

The ENTIRE system needs to be re-worked about training, and EVOC needs to be

done as part of the EMT Basic training.

Ok....that is my rant, I will step off the soap box now. As far as fraud within

the current companies go,......I welcome this crack down on the industry. It

hurts me, and my friends that do not deserve it, but the situation is out of

control, and is something that needs to be done. The good medics will survive.

Cougar!!

I'll keep my Guns, my Freedom and my MONEY,

You can keep the " CHANGE. "

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> Subject: Ambulance companies say Medicare bleeding them dry »

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

> To: texasems-l

> Date: Tuesday, March 1, 2011, 8:12 PM

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[Guest guest]

GEEZ, I work with some of these 'EMTs " that can't even bag a patient- AND WE ARE

A 911 COUNTY SERVICE EXCLUSIVELY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

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> Subject: Ambulance companies say Medicare bleeding them dry »

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

> To: texasems-l

> Date: Tuesday, March 1, 2011, 8:12 PM

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[Guest guest]

GEEZ, I work with some of these 'EMTs " that can't even bag a patient- AND WE ARE

A 911 COUNTY SERVICE EXCLUSIVELY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

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> Subject: Ambulance companies say Medicare bleeding them dry »

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

> To: texasems-l

> Date: Tuesday, March 1, 2011, 8:12 PM

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[Guest guest]

You know it seems everyone wants to trash the transfer medic and say if they

were real paramedics they would work for a 911 service , I have presently been

with a transfer service for over ten years in the Katy area and I can tell you

its not all dialysis allot of times I compare 911 to bull ,riding you get to

ride the bull the buzzer goes off and you get off, In transfer we get the same

pt brought in earlier by 911 service that has to be transfered out to a higher

level of care or to a facility with a cath lab etc so we get to ride that bull

up to an hour , With most 911 services additional mampower is available in

transfer it is just you and your partner no matter how green they are, We were

all green once but somebody cared enough to take us under there wing and help us

grow. I will get off my soap box but there are good medics out there remember we

may be taking your family member.

Rick Scholwinski EMT-P,EMS-I,Chaplin

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> Subject: Ambulance companies say Medicare bleeding them dry »

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

> To: texasems-l

> Date: Tuesday, March 1, 2011, 8:12 PM

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