Honolulu Emergency Services officials are still waiting for a decision on whether they can send bills for ambulance transports made during four-month period in 2022.
When the city took over billing from the state, it didn't have a vendor ready to step in and take over, KHON reported.
“To answer your question those are under appeal we’re waiting for the Medicare to answer the appeal if we can do and collect those older billings,” Dr. James Ireland, director of Emergency Services Department, told city officials.
The amount owed is still to be determined, but Ireland said about 70 to 80% of ambulance transports are covered by Medicare or Medicaid, those costs are between $300 and $600. Crews respond to an average to 8,800 calls monthly.
“There’s a chance that we could get all of it back, but the state knew I think with the transfer of billing companies and procurement that the delay in getting a new company and being able to retroactively bill could be an issue. And that’s why they gave us a stipend of initially almost roughly 9 million dollars.”
Council member Radian Cordero suggested charging a fee if paramedics treat the patient and administer medications.
“Look into seeing how we would be able to charge a nominal fee. Everything is on the table to look at not just, we’re not looking at revenue for the City but to be able to continue to provide services to provide these ambulatory services for the people," Cordero said.
Bills are only sent to patients or their insurance companies if there's a transport.
