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Town supervisor wants to clear up confusion over Massena Rescue Squad billing practices

Posted 6/8/17

MASSENA -- The Town of Massena on Thursday released a statement in response to what the supervisor describes as ongoing confusion over the Massena Rescue Squad’s billing practices. Massena Town …

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Town supervisor wants to clear up confusion over Massena Rescue Squad billing practices

Posted

MASSENA -- The Town of Massena on Thursday released a statement in response to what the supervisor describes as ongoing confusion over the Massena Rescue Squad’s billing practices.

Massena Town Supervisor Joseph D. Gray points out the Town owns the Massena Rescue Squad and contracts with the Massena Volunteer Emergency Unit to provide the expertise for treatment and transport with equipment and vehicles owned by the Town.

The billing system brings revenue to the town to cover rescue squad costs such as paid professional staff, vehicles, supplies, equipment, utilities and other operational expenses. Expenses for the Massena Rescue Squad are approximately $25,000 per month. The revenue to pay those bills comes from insurance companies, Medicaid, and Medicare, Gray said.

Most insurance companies and Medicare typically have a co-pay and a deductible that is the responsibility of the patient. Town of Massena residents without a pay source are not personally responsible, the supervisor said.

“Neither the Town Council nor Rescue Squad officials enjoy asking people to pay for emergency services,” Gray said in the news release. “But insurance companies and government programs will pay the majority of those expenses. The amount of a co-pay and deductible that individuals have to pay is a fraction of the bill they would receive from a private, non-volunteer rescue squad.”

Here is how the current system works: Massena Rescue Squad responds to a call and treats the patient. When any insurance, Medicare or Medicaid information is gathered it is confidentially provided to a company called Professional Ambulance Billing (PAB). The company then generates a bill for the insurance company, Medicare or Medicaid. After receiving the initial payment, PAB will usually then generate a bill to the patient to cover any co-pay or deductible, if one is due, Gray said.

In some instances, an insurance company will send a check directly to the patient to pay the outstanding bill. In those cases, the patient is obligated to pay the bill in the amount covered by their insurance, as well as any co-pay or deductible, according to Gray.

“It is my understanding that failing to use the insurance money to pay the bill is fraud,” Gray said. “I hope we never run into a circumstance like that because we would then have to involve the authorities.”

There have been instances where the Massena Rescue Squad responds to a situation that is not life-threatening and where no emergency is present. In those situations, the patient is treated, if necessary, but not transported. Then, a $400 fee is assessed for what the rescue squad considers a “treat and release no transport” call. PAB also generates those bills. Insurance and government medical programs do not cover these calls and the expense falls to the patient, Gray said.

Any bill payments made to PAB are then credited to the patients. Should a patient wish to pay the amount due, he or she can do so at the Massena Town Hall at 60 Main Street or at the Rescue Squad building.

“I hope this media release addresses any confusion over the Massena Rescue Squad billing process and better explains how that revenue is generated and used. Anyone with questions about the billing should contact the Town Supervisor’s office at (315) 769-3588 and select Option 2, or send email inquiries to supervisor@massena.us” Gray said.