Total forfeited EMS billings over $293,000

Posted by

in County Government Archives, Top Stories & Breaking News

Thursday, December 8. 2011

Comments (50)

Barrow County’s forfeited ambulance billings during the 32-day lapse of its state license in late August were almost twice the net of $150,000 disclosed this week by Barrow County CFO Rose Kisaalita.

According to a breakdown of the lost revenue figures she provided for the Dec. 13 meeting packets of the Barrow County Board of Commissioners, the total billings during the period were $293,629.

Medicare should have been billed for $110,195; Medicaid for $23,297; and other insurers or patients $160,138.

But based on actual anticipated payments of the invoices, Kisaalita said the projected loss to the county government’s General Fund in FY2011 would be $159,120.

“Both Medicare and Medicaid have stated we cannot bill for this period when the county did not have a license,” she wrote. “The County Attorney advised not to bill the private companies.”

Kisaalita said $4,875.27 would have to be refunded to patients or insurers who had already paid their invoices.

ALSO ON THE DEC. 13 MEETING AGENDA

• An application by Walton Georgia LLC, a Canadian-based land investment company, to rezone a small portion of a 292-acre site and to obtain a Special Use Permit for a master planned development called Barrow Landing that will be within the Highway Corridor Overlay at the corner of Highway 81 and Highway 316 and off Carl-Bethelehem Road.

• An application by Charles and Pamela Wright to annex into the city of Auburn 22.04 acres at 121 Mount Moriah Road.

• A resolution authorizing the county’s CFO to deposit county funds into the Georgia Fund 1, which a local government investment pool. The investment pool typically pays higher rates of return on investments, but deposits are not guaranteed or insured by the FDIC.

• Approval of a contract to repair pavement joints on Atlanta Highway. The bids were to be open Dec. 8, with a staff recommendation to come forward at the BOC’s meeting Tuesday night.

• A budget amendment to accommodate the insurance proceeds for $168,618 in damages to the interior of the historic courthouse annex following a storm that occurred on Sept. 22 while the roof was being replaced.

• A proposal to use the State Fuel Program with Wright Express instead of the current local vendor, Pruett Oil Co., for vehicle fuel purchases. The county tested the program for the Sheriff’s Office and Barrow County Emergency Services and found it had saved not only the cost of the fuel but also cut the costs of traveling to refueling locations. County departments paid Pruett Oil $629,428 for fuel in FY2011.

• Amendments regarding alcohol sales in the Barrow County Code of Ordinances.

• A job description for an office assistant for the Barrow County Magistrate’s Court.

• A memorandum of understanding with the State Road and Tollway Authority that will provide electronic toll Peach Passes for Barrow County ambulances on emergency calls to use state toll roads without paying tolls.

• A budget amendment to accommodate receipt of $3,850 in grant proceeds for the Barrow County Local Emergency Planning Committee.

• A resolution to allow the county’s Computer Assisted Dispatch software for the E-911 center to be upgraded to that used by the Winder Police Department. The county’s cost would be $79,972 and would be taken from reserves if the 911 surcharges on telephone bills does not cover the cost by the end of FY2012.

Trackbacks

Trackback specific URI for this entry

No Trackbacks

Comments

Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)

#1 observer on 12/08/11 at 09:52 AM [Reply]

Additional details in the the lengthy BCJ print edition story makes this two black eyes for BC employees rather than just one. Note that the county would have received payment from Medicare and Medicaid of over $130k, real dollars in a time of tight budgets.

Aside from the financial losses incurred by employee negligence or incompetence some were reported to have lied when asked about this.

Someone should be held accountable for these things.

#1.1 Anonymous on 12/08/11 at 11:02 AM [Reply]

Why, its the county ... They are not responsible to anyone ... After all if they need more money they can pump the Homeowners for more taxes... Isn't that what those trapped CASH COWS are good for anyway?

#2 Anonymous on 12/08/11 at 11:08 AM [Reply]

Typical of government...keep scratching the sore and it continues to fester...Before it is over, we will find that the actual number is much higher.

Mr. Yearwood, you might not be directly responsible for this mistake, however, in your management practices, you ran off everybody with any experience a couple of years age. It is time for you to do the right thing and resign. Do the honorable thing and allow the buck to stop at the top. It was your employees under your management that allowed this to happen. YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF THE DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS...end of story.

#3 this on 12/08/11 at 11:45 AM [Reply]

would not be issue if BC privatized this and saved us all more then it would cost!

license to run an ambulance for billing one more state govt agency that is useless

#4 Robert Lanham on 12/08/11 at 03:14 PM [Reply]

It's kind of funny that both local papers decided to run this "non story". If 99 percent of the people in this county don't care, then that explains a lot about how we got in this mess in the first place.

#4.1 sunny barrow on 12/08/11 at 10:44 PM [Reply]

Robert, you're right. But 4 years ago, this story would've never seen the light of day. The Barrow journal wasn't here then.

#5 Blinded by the light! on 12/08/11 at 04:18 PM [Reply]

It is time to drug test all government employee's,top to bottom, to include county and all cities within. Law Enforcement included!

#5.1 Anonymous on 12/08/11 at 04:27 PM [Reply]

Genius, we are drug tested. There is a policy for that.

#5.1.1 Anonymous on 12/08/11 at 05:01 PM [Reply]

well obviously the test is not working.

#5.1.2 Blinded by the light! on 12/08/11 at 05:32 PM [Reply]

Genius, we are drug tested. There is a policy for that.

Those who have last names that begin with Z,or those with last digit of thier ssn ending in 7 report next tuesday for drug screen. Thats a very light turnout and a very good warning system.

#5.1.2.1 only on 12/09/11 at 04:40 AM [Reply]

random on the spot testing no notice with tester present watching has good chance of working any notice and even casual or hardcore drug use can be turned to not show!
most places do not even watch samples being expelled from the subject any more.

#5.1.3 Sheesh on 12/09/11 at 02:53 PM [Reply]

Really,

Does this testing include top management and elected officials or just the little people?

#5.1.3.1 Anonymous on 12/09/11 at 03:07 PM [Reply]

You know, its best not to ask questions about Politicians... when you already know the answer

#5.1.3.2 Anonymous on 12/09/11 at 03:16 PM [Reply]

does not include elected officials..What would be the point anyway...you couldn't get rid of them anyway...even if they tested positive until election time.

#5.1.3.3 Anonymous on 12/14/11 at 08:21 AM [Reply]

yeah look how well Florida drug testing for Public Aid folks is going, only 2 percent test positive and it is costing the state already 34,000 to test just a 1000 people, Drug testing what a scam a month

#5.2 Drugtesting on 12/08/11 at 04:50 PM [Reply]

really only meltdowns would get caught drug testing does not work, hair testing can be beaten, urine testing, very few do blood testing or spinal taps so unless your willing to do invasive testing save the money.

#6 Just wondering on 12/08/11 at 04:27 PM [Reply]

How did this happen? What is an FD/EMS mistake or someone in the county accounts payable?

#7 And this surprises Barrow Countians -- Why? on 12/09/11 at 05:27 AM [Reply]

It's the same old, same old. You GET WHAT YOU ELECT! Don't blame this on the CFO, ALL SHE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IS THE FINANCES --- NOT RUNNING THE COUNTY AND MAKING SURE LICENSES ARE UPDATED!

That would be the duty of the various department heads, the county manager or in our case the chairperson but we all KNOW WHAT AN IDIOT he is.

#8 what and how on 12/10/11 at 09:44 AM [Reply]

What I want to know is how they let these people who owe EMS bills go. While waiting on insurance payment, I got bill after bill and was threatened to have it turned over to collection. All of this was the COUNTY BILLING MISTAKE. sO SOME OF US HAVE TO PAY AND OTHERS DON'T I am livid.

#8.1 EMS charges on 12/11/11 at 10:56 AM [Reply]

They should be getting plenty to operate even if they miss a month or two. I had the need to use Ems service twice a few weeks apart a few months ago. Barrow Co was about $300.00, 35% higher than Hall Co although Hall Co was a few miles farther and required a higher level of care.
But just because Barrow Co charges much higher rates doesn't excuse such a important and costly oversight,and attempted coverup.

#8.1.1 Employee on 12/13/11 at 02:04 PM [Reply]

Higher level of care? Please explain.

#8.1.1.1 Get to packing, good way to offset 3% pay increase on 12/13/11 at 10:01 PM [Reply]

Hall Co's ride was for a heart attack. Barrow Co's was a non life threating one.

#8.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 12/13/11 at 10:37 PM [Reply]

Why in the Hell are you using an ambulance for a not life threatening problem. You deserve the higher fee for taking an ambulance away from someone who really needed it. Ambulances contrary to popular belief are not modern day medical taxis. One more thing the city got a 3% raise not the county, any moneys coming in due to ambulance abuse fees will never be seen by the city.

#8.1.1.1.1.1 Get to packing, good way to offset 3% pay increase on 12/14/11 at 12:11 AM [Reply]

Are you that ignorant or what? I did not call the ambalance and was not conscience enough to refuse it at the time. I know many times when I have witnessed or read about someone refusing to go in an ambalance in non life threating situations while the EMT's insisted they do.

#8.1.1.1.1.2 911 caller on 01/03/12 at 01:22 AM [Reply]

She had 2 broken legs, dislocated shoulder,and cracked ribs. Tried to get her in my car, but she was in too much pain. Could not locate someone with a SUV, van,or pickup to lay her in. Instead of letting her lie there and suffer any longer, her mother insisted and called 911.
The EMTs never mentioned it was not a life threatening situation and did not want to tie up an ambulance. Neither did they offer to call one of their friends with a pickup, van, or SUV to see what they would charge to take her to the hospital.

#9 Jack Legg on 12/13/11 at 10:42 AM [Reply]

I wonder if this means that we wont finish in the black this time?Once again, thanks to yearwoods handeling of the day to day operations the taxpayer has lost.
Remember this also in 2012.

#9.1 dang on 12/13/11 at 12:03 PM [Reply]

Glad it was not yo who lost but once agian welcome to the commenting, I disagree but welcome you point of view even if I think it misguided

#9.2 Anonymous on 12/13/11 at 10:18 PM [Reply]

Glad to have you back Jack. Glad you feeling better.

#10 wow on 12/13/11 at 11:50 AM [Reply]

Nice not you having you around for a while, what an "idiot"

#11 Employee on 01/02/12 at 07:14 PM [Reply]

Just found out that Barrow County EMS collection rate is at a dismal 52%. While on the other hand Walton county is at 82% and Jackson County is at 85%. Hmmm seems to me something should be done to solve this issue.

#11.1 Anonymous on 01/02/12 at 10:56 PM [Reply]

Well when you have so many POS people calling for an Ambulance that is not needed this is what you get. People call and can't be refused, but the insurance companies don't have to pay. When you run trash you can't expect trash to pay,they have nothing to loose.

#11.1.1 Anonymous on 01/03/12 at 02:05 AM [Reply]

I don't believe the unnecessary ambulance calls are about 60% higher in Barrow Co. than Jackson Co. or Walton Co. Even if so, the user should be responsible for the bill. If sufficient information is gotten on the user, sounds like it is a filing or collection problem. This may be why they charge what they do. Get the easy money and don't bother with the rest.
Mike, Susan, if this is so, it would be worth looking into. At these rates it could amount to a million dollars or so a year.

#11.2 Accountability on 01/03/12 at 02:21 AM [Reply]

I'm aware of a situation when the patient finally got a bill they made Barrow Co. aware that proper information had been given for filing insurance, but had not been filed. The employee nonchalantly said well it too late to file now and just marked it off.

#11.2.1 Jack Legg on 01/03/12 at 09:41 AM [Reply]

In my Barrow recovery plan EMS transport will be turned over to a private service, they will be able to get all the money that they have coming to them and the citizens will pay less.
for more details go to my new web site at www.jackleggforbarrowin2012.com
get a leg up in 2012.

#11.2.1.1 Anonymous on 01/03/12 at 11:12 AM [Reply]

Jack it looks like your web site is just as fake as you.

#11.2.1.1.1 wow on 01/03/12 at 03:20 PM [Reply]

leggo is an "idiot" with no brain or chance of recovering anything. Maybe beer.

#11.2.1.2 Please go away on 01/03/12 at 01:39 PM [Reply]

Jack Legg not your real name, please go away. You lose all credibilty by pretending that this is your name and now you have an imaginary web site. The domain name you have is not even registered. I started to purchase it, but you are not worh the 9.99.. Please go away.

#11.2.1.2.1 Jack Legg on 01/03/12 at 02:18 PM [Reply]

I cant help it if your yankee education left you too stupid to spell , my good ol Barrow County education works fine for me.But besides the fact that you cannot navigate the web very well, I have been here longer than you and I wioll still be here when you have moved on to a more "high class" locale.So why dont you go away bub.
The only person currently in local office or even talking about getting in that has announced ANY solutions to the problems we face is...me. So if you dont like ...me then find something better and get the message out as to how it is better so that ALL of the voters can see it and talk about it. Someone once said that government should lead, follow or get out of the way. The current chairman has proven time and time again that he cannot lead, he is too proud to follow and too dumb to get out of the way.
Get a leg up in 2012.

#11.2.1.2.1.1 OMG on 01/03/12 at 03:26 PM [Reply]

"idiot" - are you really talking about other peoples spelling. If you can read and your mommy did not type that for you, perhaps you should review your own misspelled words. People are correct about you; fake and "idiot"

#11.2.1.3 Sheesh on 01/03/12 at 02:48 PM [Reply]

That should add another 15 to 30 minutes to response time.

How many units will your "outsiders" have here in Barrow?

Are you sure you aren't placing your bottom line ahead of the lives and welfare of Barrow citizens?

#11.2.1.3.1 Jack Legg on 01/03/12 at 03:36 PM [Reply]

you are joking right? or are you just showing all of Barrow how ignorant you are.The paramedics will still be employed by the FD, we wont stop helping people , we will just save a ton of money on the transport. In fact , in my plan the paramedics wont have to ride in to the hospital after every non emergent med call the way they do now. They will be back in service to go serve someone else, while the med unit transports. believe me , this system will not onlysave us a tonof money, but will keep the highest trained people in service longer.
Get a leg up in 2012.

#11.2.1.3.1.1 Enough on 01/03/12 at 03:50 PM [Reply]

Hey, Bible Thumper, For Love It, please go and get yourself some grammer lessons. And maybe some typing lessons. PLEASE

#11.2.1.3.1.1.1 Anonymous on 01/03/12 at 04:01 PM [Reply]

Who do you think you are to attack the mans religion ? I have been in the fire service for a looong time and I can tell you that Leggs plan would work well for Barrow County.Ya got my vote Jacky boy.

#11.2.1.3.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 01/04/12 at 11:36 AM [Reply]

JackAss is talking to himself. He probably does that a lot.

#11.2.1.3.1.2 Anonymous on 01/03/12 at 04:47 PM [Reply]

Put your "plan" and your picture up on a real working website. Otherwise go away jack. You and your fake site and campaign.

#11.2.1.3.1.2.1 Jack Legg on 01/03/12 at 06:03 PM [Reply]

Im the guy in the blue shirt sitting behinmd a desk you dingdong. It turns out that the web site has been experiencing some problems, my suspicion is that yearwood has hacked it in the beginnings of a dirty trick campaigne. That wont stop my message from getting out though. My plan has been detailed numerous times on this and other blogs.Read my friend read.
get a leg up in 2012.

#11.2.1.3.1.2.1.1 Now you are a liar. on 01/03/12 at 07:35 PM [Reply]

The website does not exist. The domain name is available. Just keep digging deeper. You use to be mildly amusing. How sad your real life must be. I will pray for you.

#11.2.1.3.1.2.1.2 Anonymous on 01/04/12 at 11:02 AM [Reply]

Still no blue shirt, no web site, nothing. Just more hot air.

#11.3 Big Difference on 01/03/12 at 01:50 PM [Reply]

How are each of the 3 counties reporting, Gross collections or Net collections?

#11.4 Figures can mislead on 01/03/12 at 01:55 PM [Reply]

What was the collection reporting method of each of the 3 counties, Gross Collections or Net Collections?

Add Comment

Name
Email
Homepage
In reply to
Comment: E-Mail addresses will not be displayed and will only be used for E-Mail notifications.
To leave a comment you must approve it via e-mail, which will be sent to your address after submission.

To prevent automated Bots from commentspamming, please enter the string you see in the image below in the appropriate input box. Your comment will only be submitted if the strings match. Please ensure that your browser supports and accepts cookies, or your comment cannot be verified correctly.

Enter the string from the spam-prevention image above:
Phone*

What is eight minus three?
: Remember Information? Subscribe to this entry

Total forfeited EMS billings over $293,000

Barrow Journal

Total forfeited EMS billings over $293,000

Recent Stories

Recent Comments

This Week's Poll

Sister Sites

Archives

Community

Keyword Tags