Rep. Boren pushes inquiry of ambulance service criticism

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.

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.”

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.

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