Minutes 05/26/1999 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL
(EMSAC)
INFORMAL MINUTES
May 26, 1999
2:00 P.M.
Emergency Medical Services Headquarters
3301 East Tamiami Trail
Council Members: Excused Members: Mike Davis
Bob Laird
Fay Biles
Gary Young
J.P., Gunther-Mohr
Roger Evans
Sheldon Reed
Others: Jorge Aguilera
Jeff Page
The regular monthly meeting of the Collier County EMSAC committee was called to
order at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday May 26, 1999 by Chairman Bob Laird.
There were no minutes to approve due to the lack of a quorum present at the April
meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Chairman Laird handed out a copy of the letter sent by the sub-committee to Chief Flagg
as sent by the sub-committee in reference to outsourcing the ambulance billing.
Operations Chief Page reported the Management & Budget Department called on Friday
afternoon, May 21, requesting Emergency Services Department to open a Purchase Order
for LaRue Planning and Management, Inc. for $7,500. This will be the approval for
LaRue to come down and review the Department of Revenue. A Mr. Gary Smith will be
coming down tomorrow to discuss the Department of Revenue. A meeting has also been
set to discuss raising the transport fees.
It was the understanding of Chief Page this review has been recommended by the
Productivity Committee.
Roger Evans commented very year there is an expectation on revenue billing and every
year there is always an under collection, if you look at the history of revenue billing.
Chief Page stated each year we have an increase of billable transports and the collection
rate keeps going down.
Fay Biles wanted to know what was happening with the hospital? Chief Page stated they
have not reached an agreement as to what it billable to the hospital and what should be
billed to Medicare. There is over a half of million dollars in transports that DOR has billed
either correctly or incorrectly to NCH, and NCH is refusing to pay all of it, even the ones
they know they are responsible for. As of now a letter was sent to NCH asking them to
pay the revenue that they know they are responsible for.
Roger Evans suggested the review team be asked by the EMSAC group to take a look at
the methodology that is being used for the projection of anticipated fee revenues.
NEW BUSINESS:
Fay Biles inquired as to the budget hearing and how did it turn out? Chief Page stated
fine. She stated the County Administrator has stated no one is aloud to sit in on the
budget review.
Chief Page commented that so far is the physical fitness testing, and the program with the
equipment in the station. The Port of the Island station and the rest we have to go back
with some justification and clarification on some things.
Chief Page has a complaint pending where a patient are both blind. She had fallen and
broke a rib. The crew was so involved with the patient and getting her inside for
treatment. The husband who also could not see, got out of the truck instead of waiting
for someone to come and help him apparently started to yell for help. He was quite
concern. This is being investigated and a follow up will be completed.
Another patient was unhappy that they were taken to North Collier when they requested
to go to Lee. They were told that the crew was following protocol.
Fay Biles commented on the nice article in the newspaper in reference to the Phoenix
Awards and the EMS Provider of the Year Award.
Commander Aguilera commented he tried very hard to get a front page article for the
EMS Provider of the Year. He invited the EMSAC committee to stop by the office to
review the packet that was sent to the State Office by Paramedic Russell.
A discussion followed on the Special Events that are provided to the community at no
charge to the organization holding the event and the impact this is creating on the EMS
Department budget.
Meeting adjourned.