Rep. Boren pushes inquiry of ambulance service criticism
Rep. Boren pushes inquiry of ambulance service criticism

Comments Comment on this article1

By The Associated Press
Published: August 14, 2008

TULSA — A federal agency should investigate how a Texas company handles ambulance service claims because its alleged mismanagement could force emergency services in rural areas to close, an Oklahoma congressman said Tuesday.

Featured Gallery

 

Advertisement

U.S. Rep. Dan Boren cited issues raised by ambulance services in Oklahoma and surrounding states about the denial or delay of claims by Dallas-based TrailBlazer Health Enterprises, a subsidiary of BlueCross and BlueShield of South Carolina.

"These rural ambulance providers form a critical health care safety net for thousands of Oklahomans,” Boren, D-Muskogee, said. "It would be a disaster if these inefficiencies are responsible for emergency service companies closing their doors.”

A spokesman for the company said officials are reviewing concerns outlined in Boren's statement.

TrailBlazer handles claims for the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for providers in Oklahoma and states in the region. Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements reportedly can provide 50 or even 70 percent of a local ambulance service's income.

"We cannot afford to wait until TrailBlazers mismanagement drives them out of business,” he said. "They need to provide us some answers about their inefficiencies, their general lack of customer service, and their reluctance to address these issues.”

What's next?
Boren wants the federal Medicare agency to launch an investigation but said a congressional probe also is possible, spokesman Cole Perryman said.

Billy Quarles, a spokesman for the Texas company, said officials want to gather additional information about the complaints so they can review and discuss them.

"We take these concerns very seriously, and will work with Congressman Boren's office to ensure they are addressed,” Quarles said.


 

Related Topics: Health and Fitness, Medicine, Politics, Medical Specializations, Emergency Medicine, Health Care Costs, Health Care Issues

Toolbar sponsored by: David Stanley Ford
Ads by Yahoo!

25 Pounds in 2 Weeks
Fast Easy Weight Loss Breakthrough. As Seen on CNN - Try It Here.
LoseWeightEasily.net
Drop 30 Pounds in 3 Weeks
Fastest Weight Loss - Guaranteed! As Seen on CBS News.
EasilyLoseWeight.net

shareView All

Buzz Up!


Leave a Comment

Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online

Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.


Log in below or sign up (it's free).





My wife works for the big ambulance company and she tells me all the time how insurance companies try to get out of paying bills through technicalities. If a person's name first or middle name isn't spelled exactly right or a person's address is not correct. It only makes the costs go even higher to recoup the losses. Medicare is having issues because it is a bankrupt, poorly run government program. Just more bureaucratic BS that continually increases our health care costs.
Jess, Warr Acres - Aug 14, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Report as inappropriate or
Ignore Jess

    Business Photo Galleriesview all