$13-per-mile ambulance fee passes in Houston (houston chronicle)

[Guest guest]

$13-per-mile ambulance fee passes in Houston

City Council has just imposed a $13-per-mile fee on ambulance rides in Houston.

That is on top of the existing $1,000 per ride base price.

Houston dropped the mileage fee in November 2010 to make more palatable its

action to raise the base price from $415 to $1,000, Councilwoman Noriega

explained.

But dropping the mileage fee has disqualified the city from claiming about $2.7

million a year in Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance reimbursement that it

cannot claim through its base charge.

The measure passed 12-4 with council members Burks, Helena Brown, C.O.

Bradford and Jerry opposed.

About 45 percent of all ambulance riders pay nothing at all because they are

indigent and uninsured. The city does not charge those who can prove, through

documentation of other government services to the poor, that they cannot afford

to pay.

Nonetheless, Burks said, he fears some will not call for help because of a

perception they can’t afford it.

“We have people who will sit at home and die at home†instead of calling

911, Burks said.

Councilman Costello said just the opposite.

“Nobody’s going to die in the streets from not getting an ambulance,†he

said.

[Guest guest]

They could charge a $1 trillion base rate and it wouldn't have made any

difference. But, not charging for mileage was just leaving money on the

table. Amazing.

On Wed, May 2, 2012 at 12:45 PM, Ron Haussecker

haussecker87@...>wrote:

> **

>

>

> $13-per-mile ambulance fee passes in Houston

> City Council has just imposed a $13-per-mile fee on ambulance rides in

> Houston.

>

> That is on top of the existing $1,000 per ride base price.

>

> Houston dropped the mileage fee in November 2010 to make more palatable

> its action to raise the base price from $415 to $1,000, Councilwoman

> Noriega explained.

>

> But dropping the mileage fee has disqualified the city from claiming about

> $2.7 million a year in Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance

> reimbursement that it cannot claim through its base charge.

>

> The measure passed 12-4 with council members Burks, Helena Brown,

> C.O. Bradford and Jerry opposed.

>

> About 45 percent of all ambulance riders pay nothing at all because they

> are indigent and uninsured. The city does not charge those who can prove,

> through documentation of other government services to the poor, that they

> cannot afford to pay.

>

> Nonetheless, Burks said, he fears some will not call for help because of a

> perception they can’t afford it.

>

> “We have people who will sit at home and die at home” instead of calling

> 911, Burks said.

>

> Councilman Costello said just the opposite.

>

> “Nobody’s going to die in the streets from not getting an ambulance,” he

> said.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Bob: It doesn't matter whether the city council charges $13 a mile +

$1000.00 as a base fee if @ least 45% of the those who use HFDs service cannot

pay for it. This means the taxpayers shoulder the bill in Houston.

911 services have not been a profit making enterprise. This is a vital service.

This is a service Houstonians need. I can bet you the numbers who cannot pay for

EMS services will remain the same or may even increase. I used to work in

Houston in the EMS and this does not surprise me     Take care,rabbiems

           SSG Rick " Doc " Borenstein

 

 

 

They could charge a $1 trillion base rate and it wouldn't have made any

difference. But, not charging for mileage was just leaving money on the

table. Amazing.

On Wed, May 2, 2012 at 12:45 PM, Ron Haussecker

haussecker87@...>wrote:

> **

>

>

> $13-per-mile ambulance fee passes in Houston

> City Council has just imposed a $13-per-mile fee on ambulance rides in

> Houston.

>

> That is on top of the existing $1,000 per ride base price.

>

> Houston dropped the mileage fee in November 2010 to make more palatable

> its action to raise the base price from $415 to $1,000, Councilwoman

> Noriega explained.

>

> But dropping the mileage fee has disqualified the city from claiming about

> $2.7 million a year in Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance

> reimbursement that it cannot claim through its base charge.

>

> The measure passed 12-4 with council members Burks, Helena Brown,

> C.O. Bradford and Jerry opposed.

>

> About 45 percent of all ambulance riders pay nothing at all because they

> are indigent and uninsured. The city does not charge those who can prove,

> through documentation of other government services to the poor, that they

> cannot afford to pay.

>

> Nonetheless, Burks said, he fears some will not call for help because of a

> perception they can’t afford it.

>

> “We have people who will sit at home and die at home†instead of calling

> 911, Burks said.

>

> Councilman Costello said just the opposite.

>

> “Nobody’s going to die in the streets from not getting an ambulance,†he

> said.

>

>