The URL can be used to link to this page

Browse Search

Home My WebLink About20042442.tiff CORRESPONDENCE RESPONSE DEPARTMENT OF c,IJIGt.e Le'',7'c - tit'Lt"({ /t( !,? -' * *" PLEASE RESPOND WITHIN THREE. DAYS.** * IF RESPONSE WILL BE DELAYED, PLEASE NOTIFY"CTB GROUP" BY E-MAIL OF EXPECTED DATE FOR RESPONSE. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Narrative: Response: Board of County Commissioners . Response: Ms . Nikki Miller BOARD ACTION: (Initial by Approval) MG RM BJ DL GV Agree with Recommedation 1 V Worksession META O D OF RESPONSE: Board Action Work Session Letter(Attached) - Telephone Call - No Response (explain) Department Head Signature M1CAR0L OPMAN\RDCOMP2 2004-2442 08--/O.-O /40 " r BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PHONE (970) 336-7204, Ext. 4200 FAX: (970) 352-0242 P. 0. BOX 758 GREELEY, COLORADO 80632 wilpC. COLORADO August 2, 2004 Nikki Miller 329 63rd Avenue Greeley, CO 80634 Dear Ms. Miller: Thank you for contacting the Board of County Commissioners. As part of the review of your concerns, the Weld County Paramedic Services was contacted for additional information. The billing staff and Office Manager at the Paramedic Services believed that they have been addressing your questions and concerns, and they have provided assurances that they will continue to do so. The Paramedic Services does respond to requests for service throughout Weld County involving school sponsored events such as the one your son was involved in. Their policy is not to question the school district's reasoning or policies for requesting emergency services, only to provide the best service possible in assessing the patient's medical needs, which may include evaluation, assessment, treatment and transportation. It appears that not all of the communications you shared with the coach that evening were provided to the paramedic crew, which is regrettable. In any case, we were glad to read in your letter that you were satisfied with the medical care provided your son and that your questions to the paramedic service office staff have been handled in a professional manner. The office billing staff has requested an additional copy of the explanation of benefits from your insurance company to review the status of your claim. It appears that your insurance company did recognize and credit your claim, but due to the ambulance claim being the first to arrive at your insurance company, the entire amount was applied to your deductible. Please continue to communicate your questions and concerns to the billing staff, and they will make sure that your account is managed professionally. You may continue to make monthly payment as you have been. 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 353-5700, extension 3211. Mr. Bressler would appreciate the opportunity to discuss your son's case and any other remaining concerns you may have. Very truly yours, WELDD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Robert D. Masden, Chair RDM/db o ctif WELD COUNTY PARAMEDIC SERVICES 1121 M STREET GREELEY, COLORADO 80631 PHONE (970) 353-5700 EXTENSION 3211 E-MAIL: dbressler@co.weld.co.us WI I PC FAX: (970) 304-6408 COLORADO ,/,,, /-,,c )da%t July 30, 2004 Weld County - Board of County Commissioners Response: Letter from Nikki Miller to BOCC for Matthew G. Miller (son) Run Number: 03-7054 Service Provided: 9/8/2003 This letter is in response to the concerns addressed in a letter to the BOCC on July 1, 2004 by Nikki Miller. Ms. Miller's son Matthew was a patient of Weld County Paramedic Services on September 8, 2003. A copy of all documentation is attached. The following is a time line of services provided to Matthew and a synopsis of WCPS communications with Ms. Miller. September 8, 2003 @ 1815 - WCPS is requested to 114 Park Lane in Eaton to evaluate football injury. This request was for a possible broken arm. This patient was transported by a private individual. The ambulance crew was requested by Eaton Fire Department to evaluate another individual on the school bus complaining of headache and weakness. This patient was transported to North Colorado Medical Center @ 1840, arriving at 1900 hours. September 15, 2003 - The bill for services was mailed to Cigna Insurance, as well as a bill to the father of the patient notifying them of the bill and the insurance company that was billed. September 19, 2003 - The mother called, stating that we billed the wrong insurance. At that time we let her know that the information we received was from the hospital. She gave us the correct information of United Healthcare Insurance. The bill was then billed to United Healthcare Insurance. October 20, 2003 - The next contact we had with the patient's mother was on when she called our office. Patient's mother Nikki, called stating her insurance United Healthcare isn't paying anything. She stated she is a nurse at NCMC and she was at the scene and was told he had a closed head injury and needed to be transported; otherwise she would have transported him herself. She stated we were called for a different injury and then they said we were called for a different injury and then they said they had another patient to be seen. This was reported by the Eaton Fire Department. WELD COUNTY PARAMEDIC SERVICES 1121 M STREET GREELEY, COLORADO 80631 PHONE (970) 353-5700 EXTENSION 3211 E-MAIL: dbresslerAco.weld.co.us O FAX: (970) 304-6408 COLORADO October 21, 2003 - Received and explanation of benefits dated 10/10/2003 denying payment. Called 800-803-9219 (United Healthcare) and spoke to Lisa she stated claim was processed correctly according to the patient's benefit. Called and left Nikki a message. Nikki called back and stated she has a friend who also is a nurse that works at NCMC that stated that the call to the hospital was a closed head injury and it was also written on the board in the Emergency Room. October 21, 2003 — Office Manager had me talk to Operations to have him talk to paramedic on the call. Told mom I would call her back the first of next week November 11, 2003 —Paramedic talked to Office Technician. Paramedic stated there was nothing said about a closed head injury. He stated the kid was shaking uncontrollably. He stated the mom was not at the scene she met them at the hospital. Called mom back and she still is questioning the call since we were called for the other patient that was not transported. She is very nice but still asking questions I don't feel I can answer so I have turned this over to the Office Manager. Office Manager talked to the mother 2 or 3 times in October and November concerning the bill and contacted paramedic concerning her issues of emergent vs. non- emergent, closed head injury, and the insurance not paying the bill. July 2004 -Account Status: The account status remains at an impasse. The WCPS Office Manager had addressed all the issues on the phone with Ms. Miller several times. WCPS contacted United Healthcare to have them reprocess the claim and will hear back from them again in about 7 to 10 business days. The patient's benefit plan was checked and the representative stated that the claim was processed correctly, as it was applied to the deductible. United Healthcare is sending duplicate explanation of benefits for this date of service. July 30, 2004 - To date $650.00 has been received in month installments from 11-17-2003 through 7-13-2004 from Ms. Miller. The account remains in good standing. Thank you, Dave Bressler,Director NIKKI MILLER 329 G;rd AVE Grccicc CO M0(34 979-3' -1-9979 nikkihulllcr n cahoo-coN July 1, 2004 Dear Friend, I am writing to you concerning an issue that I am having with a local business. I have written to Weld Co paramedics to try and resolve an issue and I have gotten no reply or response from them . At this point, I am very frustrated. I am writing to you on the advice of a care coordinator at NCMC where I work. My son was transported per Weld CO ambulance for a non-emergency cause. I have written them asking for a reason and cause, they will not reply. I have attached the letter that I sent to them in hopes that you will understand the situation. If there is anything that you can do or a direction that you can point me, I would sincerely appreciate it. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, NIKKI MILLER 329 63rd AVE Greeley CO 80634 970-304-9979 November 13, 2003 Weld County Paramedic Services 1121 M street Greeley, Colorado 80631 To whom it concerns I am writing to you concerning a bill I received for your services. The run# is 03-7054 back in September. I am very concerned with the fact that your paramedics transported my son from a football game for "dehydration"which of course is non-emergent. Since this is considered non- emergent, 1 am expected to pay the bill,my insurance will not. My main concerns at this point are as follows: My son was transported without my permission even though I was within minutes from the seen and was within contact by phone. I was actually on the phone with the coach as your paramedics checked my son over. I was told by the coach that my son was being evaluated for a possible CHI. I offered to come get my son, I could he there in about 3-4 minutes, I was told to just let them finish evaluating my son and to meet the bus at the school. I want to know who has the right to transport my child without my permission for anything ot'ier then an emergency??The school can only provide permission in an emergent case. This wes obviously not an emergency per your billing. 1 am now stuck with a biil for over$1200.00 for a transport that I did not accept. I am a pediatric RN at the hospital and do realize what is emergent and what is not, I think that dehydration is not something that your paramedics should have transported for and that since it was non-emergent, I should have been notified of their findings and been allowed to come get my son. I believe at this point that I should not be held responsible for this bill in its entirety,the transport was unwarranted and unnecessary considering the circumstances. The initial exam, IV fluids and oxygen I am okay with, but not the transport. In closing, I have been in contact with your office several times over this matter and T appreciate that everybody has been so helpful, but I was unaware of the fact that my son was being transported for dehydration until I spoke with your company. I am very frustrated with this whole deal and am requesting a review of this case. I believe that this transport was done with no permission,or at least without legitimate permission. Sincerely, Signature Hello