EMS to start charging for ‘false runs’

Whitley County residents, who call for an ambulance but don’t go to the hospital, may soon be getting a bill any way.
The Whitley County Fiscal Court approved a proposal by EMS Director Kelly Harrison Tuesday that allows the county to charge a $50 fee for so called “false runs.”
Last year, the ambulance service made 5,149 runs where someone was transported to the hospital, and 1,349 runs where they responded but transported no one.
Harrison noted that ambulances were sent to one resident’s house 83 times last year to check things like the woman’s temperature and to see if her lungs were alright, but that the woman never let ambulance crews take her to the hospital.
Harrison estimated that it cost the county at least $78 in fuel expenses and pay for staff, who are tied up for three hours at that patient’s home in the Frakes community.
“In that time, there could be someone else that needs our help,” she added.
In the event of wrecks, a patient’s car insurance could be billed if EMT’s check them out even if they don’t go to the hospital. In the case of runs to private homes, individuals may be billed.
“We don’t have to charge everyone,” Harrison noted.
In instances where a Good Samaritan sees an accident and calls for an ambulance, the person the ambulance responds to treat likely wouldn’t receive a bill because they didn’t call for the ambulance, she said.
Whitley County Judge-Executive Burley Foley noted that hopefully when people see there is a charge, they will quit calling for an ambulance when one isn’t needed.
Foley noted that there is an expense for providing an ambulance service.
“If they continue to make 1,300 false runs, there won’t be an ambulance service,” he warned.
Harrison said she checked with the ambulance service’s billing agency, which noted that 90 percent of their clients charge for false runs.
The charges for the false runs will be billed directly by the ambulance service though.
Magistrate Johnny Lawson cast the only no vote against the proposal noting that he fears people might not call for an ambulance when they probably need one for fear of having to pay a $50 bill they can’t afford.
“I can’t see doing it. I think it will lead to a lot of trouble,” he added.
The fiscal court also heard from local resident Jacqueline Fields, who voiced her opposition to the jail’s no smoking policy.
“I have a problem with our inmates being taken away their right to smoke,” noted Fields, who said she couldn’t do without a cigarette for a long time herself.
Fields said she was so upset over the policy that she had to be hospitalized.
Fields asked whether there was someone over the jailer, who could overrule the decision.
Foley said that Jailer Ken Mobley is in charge of the jail, and that he supports Mobley, who chose to make the facility no smoking.
Lawson added that he doesn’t think cigarettes should be contraband, and that there needs to be a smoking area at the jail.
In other business, the fiscal court:
• Reinstated the Williamsburg-Whitley County Industrial Foundation. Karen Hamblin, the new director of the foundation, said the foundation’s primary focus would be applying for grants and attempting to improve the economy.
The foundation has a meeting scheduled for Monday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. at the Williamsburg Civic Center. The public is invited to attend.
• Changed the fiscal court monthly meeting dates from the second Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m. to the second Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. The meetings will continue to be held in the fiscal court meeting room at the courthouse. Foley said the primary reason for the change is that Whitley County Attorney Paul Winchester is often scheduled to be in court on Tuesday, and sometimes has difficulty making it to the meetings.
• Accepted a petition to remove Vanover Lane from the county road system.
• Renamed Sandy Lane to West Point Lane, but postponed action on extending the road until right of way is acquired from Southeast Kentucky Power.
• Approved subdivision plats for Landen’s Hope Development Subdivision, and Casey Ridge Subdivision.
• Set salaries for the judge-executive and jailer pursuant to state statutes.
• Approved a $70,000 bond for the payroll tax administrator and the assistant tax administrator.