LETTER: Addressing EMS transport

I wanted to take this opportunity to respond to some factual errors in a recent letter to the editor regarding the proposed Emergency Medical Service (EMS) billing program currently under consideration in Prince William County.

In looking at billing for EMS services, the county has considered several factors. First, EMS transport services are already included in insurance premium calculations. This means our citizens are already paying for this coverage in their insurance payments. Not billing for services for which our citizens have already paid helps only the insurance companies. This situation results in the county losing legitimate revenue, which in turn can be used to assist in addressing the many system wide needs in our fire and rescue services.

Second, Prince William County has grown tremendously over the decades and that growth has placed service delivery demands on our system. The new economic reality that Prince William County, our region, state, and the entire nation now find themselves operating in requires us to evaluate every possible option for stabilizing revenue while considering the amount of tax burden we place on our citizens. Third, EMS billing programs are not new or novel in any way. Currently most of our surrounding jurisdictions have an EMS billing program in place that is working very well. EMS billing is also a widely used practice within the commonwealth and can be found in areas across the nation.

The Board of County Supervisors has given direction that the billing approach used is a compassionate one. The county will bill the appropriate insurance company or Medicare/Medicaid for transported patients. Tax revenues from county residents will cover any balance not paid by the resident's health insurance (such as an insurance co-payment or deductible). In addition, we will develop a waiver policy to address situations where there may be a lack of insurance coverage, an inability to pay or which involves other special circumstances. Again, tax revenues will be used to cover the financial obligation for county residents. The billing and collection practices found in other jurisdictions vary and may differ from the approach Prince William County's program is using.

Prince William County Fire & Rescue personnel will always provide the exceptional service that our citizens expect. The proposed EMS billing program will in no way interfere with or impact the service that our patients receive.

Chief KEVIN J. McGEE

Prince William County Department of Fire & Rescue