Ambulance district awaits fed funding
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by Patty Cheffey
Although paperwork has been submitted, the Marion County Ambulance District is still waiting on reimbursements for GEMT and COVID services.
The district board of directors heard reports on the vaccination event reimbursement and the GEMT reimbursement during their meeting last week, at which they also heard an update on the Cardinal Glennon contract, heard a report on National EMS Week and approved the hazard mitigation plan.
According to Chief John Nemes, the Missouri Medicaid has finally completed the ground emergency medical transportation (GEMT) cost reporting and the district will be remitting the state portion of $153,683.02 next week.
“We should receive the federal reimbursement of $446,848.23 before June 30,” he added.
In addition, Nemes informed the board the reimbursement request to the Missouri Department of Public Safety for district funds used to assist on vaccination events is moving forward.
All paperwork has been submitted, he said, along with expenditure reports totaling $7,701.46.
Nemes updated the board on the ongoing discussions with SSM Cardinal Glennon and recommended the district continue the existing contract with Cardinal Glennon only until they acquire their own licensure and hire their own employees.
He explained that after reviewing the billing and collections from 2020, the proposed plan to implement a revised Cardinal Glennon contract, including the lease of their new transport vehicle, was not feasible, and the district would be better served by ultimately reassigning the MCAD employees to other duties.
“Those FTEs (full time equivalents) would help the district due to insurance restrictions that affect growth, which is something the district has been battling for the past few years,” he added.
The board agreed with Nemes’ recommendation and advised him to continue discussion with SSM Cardinal Glennon and to keep the board updated on the progress.
In his report, Nemes updated the board on events that were taking place for National EMS Week for each crew.
“Staff cooked for the crews and provided games, goodies and prizes each day,” he said, recognizing Corey Fry and The Junction Restaurant for their donation of eight $25 gift cards to the district. “We will be giving away two gift cards on each of the four crews. The entire staff was very appreciative of the donation.”
Under new business, Nemes presented the board with a resolution that is required for Marion County’s Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
After review, the board unanimously approved the plan.
Nemes also reported the district is still waiting to test the protocol and policy app, MedicHero, since the administrative staff was unable to attend the first demonstration.
The board also reviewed the district calls, numbering 505, for April.
Base 1 (Hannibal) – 2711 handled 136 calls, (Hannibal) – 2721 handled 117 calls, Base 2 (Hannibal) handled 140 calls and Base 3 (Palmyra) handled 82 calls.
Off-duty or call-in crews handled 13 calls, and the Cardinal Glennon unit had 17 transports.
The board also approved the minutes of the April meeting and reviewed financial reports.