This month's blog post centers around EmergyCare's staffing and financial practices. You may have read that first sentence and thought, "Yawn," but trust us. The information provided in this blog is things everyone in the Erie community and surrounding areas really should know! With more knowledge comes more power to help us strive to continue finding better solutions to the problems at hand.

Staffing:

• Who Provides EMS?

Emergency medical services are provided in the county through separate entities such as EmergyCare, Millcreek Paramedic Service, and several volunteer fire departments. Under their state license, EMS agencies are required to be in service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or notify the 911 Center when they are out of service.

• What Locations Does EmergyCare Provide Service?

EmergyCare serves parts of seven counties:

• Erie
• Crawford
• Warren
• Forest
• Venango
• McKean
• Clarion County

EmergyCare has licensed stations in the following areas:

• Erie
• Millcreek
• Corry
• Titusville
• Warren
• Kane
• What is the difference between an EMT and a paramedic?

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are basic-level care providers, whereas paramedics are advanced care providers. This means that EMTs are trained to provide essential treatments, including bandaging wounds, splinting broken bones, administering oxygen, and performing CPR. EMT training is 156 hours in length. Once this level of training is completed, an EMT can then go on to become an Advanced EMT or paramedic. Paramedics undergo an additional 1,000+ hours of extra training, which allows them to deliver more advanced treatments such as starting IVs, administering medications, and interpreting electrocardiograms. Serious injuries and illnesses require this advanced level of care.

Finances:

How Is EMS at EmergyCare Paid For?

• EmergyCare generates the bulk of its revenue through reimbursement for treatment and transportation.
  • This can be Medicaid, Medicare, Auto, Worker's Compensation, Private Insurance, or self-pay.
  • The demographics of the community an organization serves directly impact the financial viability of an organization.
  • The median cost for an Ambulance provider to breakeven is $545.87
    • Medicaid currently reimburses at 44% of costs
    • Medicare reimburses presently at 67% of costs
    • Auto, Worker's Compensation, and Private insurance are between 67-75% of the cost.
    • EmergyCare receives little tax-based funding, less than .00005% of its annual budget.
    • Nonprofit organizations like EmergyCare generate additional revenues through Memberships, Charitable Contributions, Special event fundraising, and grants.

What Can EMS Bill For?

• Your insurance information and signature authorization are needed for us to bill your insurance. We must be able to bill your insurance to receive reimbursement for our services when they are rendered. This helps cover our expenses. If we did not bill your insurance, the membership fee would have to be significantly higher. Most insurance plans do not cover the entire cost of ambulance transport.
• If you are a member, no matter how much or how little your insurance pays, the insurance payment will be accepted as payment in full for covered services. However, non-members are responsible for the costs not covered by their insurance.