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General News: COVAC Seeks Independence
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| COVAC's Mike Bigg and attorney Helen Ullrich address the board Monday evening. |
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| The COVAC building on Clinton Street would remain town property under the proposal. |
October 09, 2008
The Cornwall Volunteer Ambulance Corps wants to become independent from the town of Cornwall, a move that would allow the not-for-profit organization to be reimbursed for ambulance costs by a range of health insurance plans.
COVAC director Mike Bigg and attorney Helen Ullrich made an appeal to the town of Cornwall board at its Monday work session, saying that the move would be a “win-win” for the town and its residents.
“COVAC will provide services to the town, just as it has done since the 1940s,” Ullrich told the board, “and then will bill Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance plans to obtain revenue to continue providing services.” Ullrich also explained that under the proposed arrangement, the town of Cornwall would still subsidize the ambulance corps’ operation to cover the costs accrued if a patient can’t pay a co-pay or to purchase equipment.
Mike Bigg said that COVAC is penciled in to receive $148,000 in the 2009 proposed town budget, but he notes that it requested closer to $200,000. Currently, COVAC does not seek reimbursement from insurance plans and its entire budget is supplied by the town and through public contributions. Bigg proposes that an annual subsidy would be around $80,000.
One of the issues facing COVAC and the town is that when COVAC requests a paramedic when it is transporting a patient to the hospital, Medicare refuses to cover the ambulance cost, which can total $700. Under the proposed plan, this could be avoided.
Supervisor Kevin Quigley said that he had gotten calls from residents upset up the ambulance bills they receive in these circumstances. Lorraine Bennett was one of those at Monday’s meeting who spoke up on behalf of a friend who had been charged for the ambulance service. Bennett had a list of 12 questions for the board to consider before it made any decision about COVAC.
Quigley said that Monday’s presentation by COVAC was the first step in a longer process that would include meetings to answer the public’s questions. “It’s a good start of a dialogue,” Quigley told those at Monday’s work session. “We have a lot of talking to do.”
Comments:
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Im a senior citizen oppossed to this win-win for the ambulance corps. Over the years voluntary contributions, taxes for a new building, etc. have been enough.
posted by Edward Flynn on 10/10/08 at 10:51 AM
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I don't wish to argue with anyone the issues. I believe you must demonstrate your justification -in a public media, not with individual citizens. I'm only reiterating my concern from other seniors.
posted by Edward Flynn on 10/12/08 at 8:41 AM
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