HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_1307 (2)• All three of the NuCare ambulances failed inspection
• Drugs were not being properly stored
• NuCare staff had difficulty identifying some medications (Toridal)
Darnell said after this visit, that instead of "shutting the company down on the
spot," he called for a meeting. He was then told that on February 2, 2004, additional
funding would be coming to NuCare, and this would help the company achieve
compliancy. Darnell said a new deadline of February 9 was then given. Mr. Daniell
stressed his concerns, and said the company was a liability on Dr. Folstad and the
county.
Dr. Folstad said it appeared NuCare was basically a "bottom-line company." He
said the company was "miserably out of compliance" and much time had been given to
help it achieve compliancy. Folstad said that if the county took over all of the
ambulance calls there needed to be a balance between 911 availability transports and
the convalescent trips.
Commissioner Williams asked if there were any other companies in the area
providing the services.
Daniell said he wasn't aware of any providing the same types of transports as
NuCare.
Chairman Johnson asked Darnell if the relationship with NuCare could be
severed, and if so, when he felt the county could provide the transports.
Darnell said Dr. Folstad could end the relationship. He estimated the county
could be ready in three weeks. Daniell said NuCare would not share any of its financial
records, but he had reviewed the county's history prior to the company's establishment
in the county. He said that to assume the services, he was estimating the costs to be
around $163,000 for the remainder of this year. Daniell said much of this was set-up
cost including another paramedic truck. He estimated the revenues to be $29,000. He
said another option would be to add another paramedic truck and two prime -time trucks
at a cost of 744,000. Daniell said the rescue squads could be approached about the need
for space. He said grant funds of $219,000 had been identified, and this would lower
the cost to $525,000 through the end of 2003-04. Daniell projected the revenues to be
at $382,000 for both Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS)
transports.
County Manager Mashburn asked if the county was demanding more from
NuCare than what was necessary.
Darnell said the county had standards pertaining to equipment and drivers'
training, but the state did not. He said Iredell County had always felt that individuals
driving ambulances needed training.
Jackson said the medical community would much prefer to use the county's
services over NuCare.
Commissioner Tice asked about future revenue projections, assuming the county
provided all of the transports.
Daniell said revenues were difficult to estimate. He said two employees were
dedicated to EMS billing, but that most counties had ended up outsourcing this work.
Darnell said technology was always changing, and the county did not have an
in -house -billing expert. He continued by saying that several months ago, a request for
proposals had been sent to billing/collection agencies, and it was discovered the county
could be more profitable by outsourcing -- even after the company took its fee, the
county might be ahead by $500,000 to $600,000.
Mashburn said the county did not make any money on ALS transports.