HomeMy WebLinkAbout20082798.tiff CORRESPONDENCE RESPONSE
DEPARTMENT OF 141/11(3
* * * PLEASE RESPOND WITHIN THREE DAYS.* * *
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OF EXPECTED DATE FOR RESPONSE.
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BOARD ACTION: (Initial by Approval) DL BJ RM DR BG
AGREE WITH RECOMMENDATION - V ✓ \)
WORKSESSION -
METHOD OF RESPONSE:
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Letter (Attached)
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Department Head Signature
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d OFFICE OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER
915 Street
1 P.O.. Box 759
TT GREELEY, CO 80632632 ig WEBSITE: www.co.weld.co.us
WIPHONE: (970) 356-4000, EXT. 4200
C. FAX: (970) 352-0242
COLORADO
October 3, 2008
Tracy Chapman
8474 E. Jamison Cr. N.
Centennial, CO 80112
Dear Tracy Chapman:
Thank you for contacting the Board of County Commissioners with your concerns regarding
your daughter's bill for services she received from the Weld County Paramedic Services. As
part of the review of your concerns, the Weld County Paramedic Services ("WCPS") was
contacted for additional information.
It is important to note that the rate your insurance carrier uses to reimburse health care expenses
and the billing rates for services provided by the Weld County Paramedic Services are actually
two entirely different rates, and are established based upon different criteria.
The process insurance companies use to arrive at their level of reimbursement varies with the
type of coverage and plans purchased. Insurance carriers charge premiums and reimburse health
care expenses based upon rates that they have determined to be effective for their particular
insurance services. Different insurance companies pay different amounts for reimbursement on
the same standard billings. These are a result of the contracts they have with their clients.
Insurance obtained by patients consists of a contract solely between the patient and the insurance
company.
The terms used by insurance companies to define the amounts they will reimburse based upon
the tables they have adopted, are"usual and customary" or"reasonable and customary,
or similar wording. How various insurance companies determine what is reasonable, customary
or appropriate for ambulance and emergency medical service reimbursement has never been
disclosed by any of the insurance companies to the ambulance and paramedic service providers,
and such amounts vary among the different insurance providers. WCPS is not a party to the
insurance contract, and cannot enforce the contract.
The billing statement from WCPS is for services performed by WCPS, and is independent from
the agreement you may have with an insurance company. While WCPS may be reimbursed by
an insurance company on your behalf for all or a portion of a bill, the insurance company is
answerable only to you, the insured, pursuant to the contract you have with the insurance
company. You, however, are responsible for payment for services provided by WCPS, not any
insurance company you may have contracted with for reimbursement services.
Even though Weld County Paramedic Services is a depailment of Weld County Government, it
does not receive any funding from tax dollars to support the cost of providing emergency
medical services. The cost for providing emergency medical service is billed to the persons
receiving such services. The fees for such services are set once a year during open budget
meetings with the Board of County Commissioners for Weld County. The fees are set based
upon the customary and appropriate costs for such services in Weld County. Weld County
makes every attempt to maintain fees for ambulance and emergency medical services as low as
possible.
The bill your daughter received was for the services provided to her, and is a standard bill for
patients who receive that service. Your insurance company has paid the portion of the bill for
the service that was covered by your insurance contract, based upon their reimbursement tables.
Your daughter has been billed only for the balance not reimbursed by your insurance. That
balance is due and owing. If you or your daughter are interested in arranging for a monthly
payment plan for the amount due, the office billing staff is willing to assist you with that.
If you have any additional questions or concerns about this matter, please feel free to contact the
Director of the Weld County Paramedic Services, Dave Bressler, at 970-353-5700, extension
3211.
Sincerely,
Rob Masden
Weld County Commissioner
September 29, 2008
Rob Masden
915 10th St.
P.O. Box 758
Greeley, CO 80632
Dear County Commissioner Masden,
My daughter is a senior at UNC in your fine city of Greeley. Last
October she had an accident at her home, and her roommates called
911. The incident report is enclosed with this letter.
We submitted the Weld County Paramedics bill to our insurance
company, Anthem Blue Cross, and they paid them $350.00. This is an
amount that insurance companies consider reasonable payment for
ambulance service.
Weld County sent us an invoice for $1,638.00, saying that they have
no contract with insurance companies and Claire is responsible for the
remainder of the balance. I called them and they were not willing to
reduce the balance.
A couple weeks ago, Claire received a call from a collection company,
saying she owes them the money, in the form of a voicemail on her
cell phone. I told her I would call them. The collection company
would not speak to me regarding the bill as I am not the patient. They
did say they would send a bill to my address, and I have not received
any further bill or communication from them, including a paper bill,
nor has my daughter.
I strongly disagree with this high charge for your county ambulance
service. I cannot find any insurance that pays more than $300- $450
for service, and in fact a friend of mine had service from the City of
Aurora and they accepted payment of $190.00 from insurance and
nothing else from the patient.
I don't know if you are familiar with the finances of college students,
but Claire had to work most of the summer to clear $1,600. The
involvement in a sorority does not indicate wealth; in fact her rent is
$425 a month, including food, which is very reasonable and not
terribly high living.
I spoke again with Weld County Ambulance on September 23, 2008.
They had no idea what the balance owed is, and stated that it had
been turned to collections. I asked them what reasonable payment is
from insurance and they continued with the mantra of "we don't work
with insurance", I told them "you certainly were willing to enter a
contract with Anthem when you cashed the check they sent". Her
attitude in response to that was poor.
My insurance company said they have no control over these
companies. The agent said that the payment Anthem made was
indeed reasonable payment. The customer service representative I
spoke with was shocked at the high price we were charged. Actual
insurance payments are always lower than the charged amount, all of
the providers involved in this incident, the hospital, doctors, lab;
everyone accepted the payment rendered with no further bill to us.
This is similar to the agreement Weld County has with Medicare, they
have to accept the fixed amount. Their unwillingness to do the same
with insured individuals seems like they have a racquet going
It is my impression that people do not complain because of fear that
maybe next time they won't pick me up or take good care of me if I
complain, medical providers have a lot of power over people.
How much does Medicare reimburse Weld County Paramedics for
service? How much is paid if an illegal is picked up?
My request to you is that you contact Weld County Paramedic and
have them reduce Claire Chapman's bill to reflect the cost that the
above two groups pay. This would be a better reflection of her
financial status. Weld County can then contact the collection agency
and work it out. As you know, if she doesn't pay the collection
agency, her credit will be damaged.
Recently, one of her friends fell and broke her leg — all of the girls said
"don't call 911, they charged Claire almost $2,000." They took her in
a car. Maybe the girls need to write a letter to the student newspaper
and Greeley Tribune and warn others of this serious problem.
Let me reiterate — insurance paid what is considered reasonable. And
from my research, it was more than reasonable.
The collection company told me they would mail a bill, it has been
three weeks and we have not received anything. In light of that I am
enclosing the Weld county bill, which is the price before the insurance
payment.
Please, please do not shuffle this off — it is a problem not only for us,
but I believe for others who do not know what to do or how to
complain. When brought to light, it could prevent patients who are
truly in need of an ambulance not to use it.
I will await your resolution to my daughter's problem.
aiiirs.
Thank you,
Tracy Chapman
8474 E. Jamison Cr. N.
Centennial, CO 80112
303.770.9879
tracyachap@comcast.net
ALPHA OMICRON PI
CHAPTER INCIDENT REPORT
This report is to be completed WITHIN 48 HOURS of the occurrence of an incident OR of your obtaining
knowledge of an incident. Any Chapter President,AAC member,Network Specialist Team member,Network
Director Team member,or International Officer or visitor may complete this form.
All chapter incidents must be reported. Completion of this form is NOT optional.
DISTRIBUTION LIST (Please check who has received a copy of this report.):
o Chapter Adviser o Network Specialist o Network Director o XB Director o International Headquarters
Today's Date 10/16/07 Revised by Amber Robinson 02/25/08 Chapter Name Epsilon Gamma
Date Incident Occurred 10/16/07 Date Reported to Chapter Adviser 10/17/07
College/University I lniversity of Northern Colorado
Chapter Adviser Name Cassidy Langowski Phone Number 720-208-6395
Chapter President Name At time of incident Amanda Visscher As of 01/01/08 Claire Chapman Phone Number
Visscher 303-579-4791 Chapman 303-907-2930_
INCIDENT TYPE: (Please check one.)
o Hazing Policy Violation o Out of Town Event Policy Violation o College/University Policy Violation
o AOH/College/University Alcohol Policy Violation o Any other violation of The Governing Documents
o Other(Please Specify)_Claire Chapman-Accidental fall on Alpha Omicron Pi Property_
Describe the events leading up to the incident- including dates,times,and names of those
involved. Please estimate number of people involved if specific names are not known. (Use
additional paper if necessary)
Claire Chapman was walking down the back stairway,when she fell at 10:45am.When she fell
She yelled for Amber Robinson to come to her.Claire stated to Amber that she hit her head on
the wall and complained of back pain.At this time her speech began to slur and was confused.
About a minute after her fall she began to lose consciousness.Amber witnessed her begin to
possibly seize and called for help from the other girls living in the house.Amber also checked
Claire's breathing after loss of consciousness.With in a few moments of her fall Stephanie Nixon
called 911,and EMS responded.Amber Robinson,Stephanie Nixon,and Amanda Visscher
stayed with Claire until EMS arrived.Amber Robinson spoke to dispatch the entire time.Amber
was advised to not move claire off the stairs.At 10:52 EMS arrived. Upon arrival Claire began to
regain consciousness. EMS advised Claire betaken by ambulance to Northern Colorado Medical
Center.Amanda Visscher,Chapter President,rode with Claire to the Emergency Department.
8/05
Describe the incident including date,time,location,and names of those involved. Please
estimate number of people involved if specific names are not known. (Use additional paper
if necessary)
No one actually saw Claire Chapman fall down the Stairs.Amber Robinson,First one to respond
to Claire,Checked Claire's breathing,and spoke with 911 and EMS,and called Claire's family
after incident occurred. Stephanie Nixon Called 911,and stayed with Claire until EMS arrived.
Amanda Visscher, stayed with Claire and rode with Claire to NCMC. Shannon Wadsworth,
stayed with Claire until EMS arrived.
Describe any action(s) taken at the time of the incident- including date,time,and names of
those who took action (if applicable).
Stephanie Nixon called 911,Amber Robinson Spoke to Dispatch.Amanda Visscher rode with
Claire to the hospital.
Describe action taken since this incident,including dates and names of those involved.
While in the Emergency Department,Hospital took Head and Chest X-Rays of Claire Chapman.
Diagnosed with a Concussion,and possible bruised or broken tail bone. Claire was released a
few hours after the incident,she was taken home by her father for one day. Hospital gave
discharge instructions stating,that she is to be watched for any nausea or vomiting,and
headache. She is also to be checked when napping and sleeping. She is not to sleep for long
periods of time.If any of these were to happen she was to be brought back into the Emergency
Dept. Stephanie,Amber,Shannon and Amanda also watched for any of these signs when Claire
came back to Greeley.They also drove her around for a few days after the incident. She showed
no signs and did not need to be brought back to the Emergency Dept.
Describe future plans made to address this incident,including dates and persons involved
in the development and execution of these plans.
There was nothing on the stairs that caused Claire Chapman to fall. She was monitored by her
Parents and Roommates as ordered by the doctor.
Originally signed and dated by Katie Youngren
vPrint Name and Title of erson Completing This Report_Amber Robinson Vice President of Standards_Z Today's Date 7' - ce
Originally signed and dated by Katie Youngren on 10/16/07 revised by Amber Robinson 02/25/08
Signature of Person Completing This Report
Cgoe, Cws:_\_.
This form may be faxed to the chapter's Network Specialist,Network Director, and Headquarters (attention
Collegiate Operations). The Headquarters fax number is(615) 371-9736. 'Please note: This form may not be
submitted via e-mail.
8/05
\ WELD COUNTY PARAMEDIC SERVICES
� \ 1121 M Street • Greeley CO 80631-9587
(970) 353-5700 Ext. 3200
(970) 304-6408 Fax
COLORADO
Billed To: Bluecross Blueshield Of Colorado Origin
1838 8th Ave, Greeley, Co 80631
Patient Name: Claire Chapman
Run Number: 07-11429 Destination
Date of Service: 10/16/2007 North Colorado Medical Center
Claire Chapman
8474 E Jamison Cir N
Centennial CO 80112-2754 Total Charges: $1,638.00
Dear Claire Chapman:
Our records indicate service was provided to you on the above date of service. This account balance is ultimately
your responsibility, however, as a courtesy we have billed the insurance referenced above on your behalf.
If we do not receive payment within 45 days, we will bill you directly. It is your responsibility to follow up with your
insurance company.
If you have any further questions, please contact our office.
Thank you for your cooperation,
Billing Office
Weld County Paramedic Services
PLEASE NOTE-AN 8% APR FINANCE CHARGE WILL BE ASSESSED ON ALL ACCOUNTS OVER 60 DAYS OLD.
CPPWELD019
*"Detach Lower Portion and Return with Payment in the Enclosed Envelope"'
1121 M Street
Greeley CO 80631-9587
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
October 18,2007 REMIT TO:
WELD COUNTY PARAMEDIC SERVICES
1121 M Street
#BWNHRMD 0414231 0047716 Greeley CO 80631-9587
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Claire Chapman
8474 E Jamison Cir N
Centennial CO 80112-2754 Patient Name: Claire Chapman
Run Number: 07-11429
Amount Enclosed: $
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