Response Times - Elite Medical Transport

Response Times
October 2010
FLU SEASON
APPROACHES
VNA El Paso Administering
Immunizations Across the
City
Vital Check
El Paso Healthcare
Professionals
Gather This Month
Faces of Diabetes
7th Annual Diabetes
Conference
PATHWAYS TO EMS
PROGRAM LAUNCHES
Turning Civilians into EMTs
EL PASO SUSAN
G. KOMEN NAMES
NEW DIRECTOR
brought to you by
Elite Medical Transport
In This Issue
Faces of Diabetes
Crossword - “The Brain”
Meet Elite Dispatch
VNA Flu Shots
One Call Commitment
Santa to a Senior
EMTz
Franklin Heights
Elite Kudos
Vital Check
Safe Body Mechanics
Komen Names Executive Director
Medical Services for Rhinos
The Dangers of Discounting
Pathways to EMS
Vital Billing Services
Job Postings
Strategic Marketing
3
4
5
5
6
6
6
6
7
7
8
9
9
10
11
11
11
12
Faces of
Diabetes
by Mara Krasey
D
iabetes has been listed as a top reason to access
emergency services and as a leading cause of death.
As a result, the El Paso Diabetes Association, Inc. (EPDA)
provided diabetes information, management, and prevention
services to over 19,000 El Paso residents in 2009.
In 2006, the Pan American
Health Organization (PAHO)
reported that over one million border
residents live with diabetes. In
addition to the increasing number of
people living with diabetes, there is an
exponential rise in the cost of care
associated
with
diabetes
complications and diabetes as an
emergency. The EPDA believes that
diabetes
complications
are
preventable in most cases. The Faces
of Diabetes Conference follows that
philosophy.
Faces of Diabetes was developed 7
years ago with the mindset that
diabetes complications could be
prevented and as a result, we, as
diabetes care providers, could
enhance the health of our community
and decrease the financial toll on tax
payers. Faces is a one-day conference,
aimed at the medical community, in
which recognized speakers present on
the latest research, programs, or
technology as they relate to diabetes.
Participants
receive
continuing
education credits based on their
licensed fields.
The El Paso Diabetes
Association invites those that
are in a current research or
educational program related
to diabetes, to participate in
an Abstract/Poster Contest for the
7th Annual Faces of Diabetes
Conference. Send abstract to Dr.
Hector Balcazar, Regional Dean UT
School of Public Health. First prize
is $250.
before October 9, 2010 in order to
obtain a refund, less a $50.00
processing fee.
For more information or to register,
call the EPDA at 915-532-6280, or
visit www.epdiabetes.org.
The conference will be held at the El Mara Krasey is Marketing Director for The
Paso Marriott Hotel, 1600 Airway El Paso Diabetes Association.
Boulevard, on October 15, 2010,
from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. For hotel
accommodations, you may call the
hotel directly at (915) 774-6948. Dress
is business casual.
The registration fee for the
conference
includes
materials,
continental breakfast and lunch. You
must be registered and paid by
October 9, 2010 to receive the
discounted price. Registrations after
October 9, 2010 will be taken at the
door only on the day of the event,
Photos from the 2010 Diabetes Walk
and will not be guaranteed a CD-Rom
and lunch will not be guaranteed
either. All cancellations must be made
in writing and must be received on or
The Brain
J.R. Houses
1
2
3
4
7
8
9
5
6
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
55
54
56
57
58
59
60
Across
1. Condition known for having a smaller than normal head circumference.
4. Behavioral disorder characterized by hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
7. A disease characterized by impairment of memory that deteriorates into dementia in geriatrics.
12. The sixth cranial nerve.
15. The significant loss of intellectual abilities such as memory, and capacity.
17. Infection of the middle ear.
18. The eleventh cranial nerve.
19. A developmental disorder communication, social interaction, and behavior.
22. Disease associated with the shrinking of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.
23. The base of the brain responsible for primal system functions.
27. When a portion of the brain losses blood supply through a blood clot or embolism.
30. The feeling of spinning movement associated with Nausea and vomiting.
31. A break in the bone of the base of brain.
33. The twelveth cranial nerve.
36. The eighth cranial nerve.
38. Bleeding into the space between the dura and the brain.
39. The first cranial nerve.
42. The third cranial nerve.
44. A disease process which progressively injures the nerves of the brain and spinal cord
45. Psychiatric or neurological symptom arising from damage or disease of the brain.
48. Brain Disease,damage or malfunction.
49. Responsible for the rate of thyroid hormone production and thermoregulation.
50. Also known as manic depression.
51. The seventh cranial nerve.
52. Visual exam evaluating pupil response to rule out head injury.
53. Syndrome characterized by involuntary facial, motor, and vocal tics.
54. A short lived loss of brain function secondary to head trauma.
55. Brain disorder causing hallucinations and delusions.
56. Brain damage caused by trauma.
58. The lateral part of the brain behind the frontal lobe.
59. Characterized by abnormal electrical activity a part or all of the brain.
60. Also known as Transient ischemic attack.
Down
2. The nerves that enter or exit to or from the brain cavity.
3. The tenth cranial nerve.
5. Painful oversensitivity to light.
6. Temporary paralysis of the facial nerve secondary to nervous system infection.
8. The abnormal build up of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain.
9. A convulsion caused by uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain.
10. The lateral part of the brain between the Temporal and occipital lobe.
11. Bleeding within the brain substance.
13. Malignant cancerous process of the tissues of the brain.
14. The Fifth cranial nerve.
16. Inflammation of the meninges due to bacterial or viral infection.
20. Loss of brain function due to severe longstanding hypothyroidism.
21. Bleeding between the Pia and Arachnoid mater.
24. The anterior part of the brain that serves to regulate higher intellectual funtions.
25. A disease characterized with an abnormality of motor function that is usually acquired at an early age.
26. The fourth cranial nerve.
28. Impaired oxygen delivery to the brain due to hemmorhage or blood clot.
29. Also known as a Cerebral Vascular Accident.
32. The nineth cranial nerve.
34. Idiopathic intercranial hypertension.
35. A technique for studying the electrical current within the brain.
37. A periodic event associated with a severe Headache involving one or both sides of the brain.
40. Two kinds of this type of headache include episodic and chronic.
41. The posterior aspect of the brain.
43. Disease resulting in the degeneration of neurons in the brain.
46. The Test of fluid oozing from ears, or from opened head injuries.
47. The second cranial nerve.
57. One of the parts associated with the brain steam.
Meet the Elite Medical Transport Dispatch Team
We’d like to take a moment to introduce the wonderful people
that staff our dispatch center 24 hours a day. Their positive
attitudes and dedication to customer service has been so
important to our success. Elite Medical Transport dispatch
personnel...KUDOS TO YOU!
Danielle Mendez
Danielle began her career in EMS dispatch with Rural Metro Fire/Southwest
Ambulance in 2004. Her career with Elite began in January 2009. Nationally
certified as an EMS dispatcher thru NAED and as an air communications
specialist thru NAACS. “I enjoy working at Elite because of all the great people I work
with both in the Communications Center and the field. In my off time I look forward to
spending time with my three year old daughter and I also scrapbook as a hobby.”
Yadira Manriquez
I have been working with Elite for almost a year. I am cross trained in both
billing and as a communication specialist. The people I work with make my
job very enjoyable. On my off time I enjoy watching movies with by boys.
Eliza DeFoor
Eliza, one of Elite’s newest additions to the Communications Center, comes
from a medical background.“I worked as an ER Tech in Deming for (3) three years
and am currently still pursuing a career in the emergency medical field. I am enrolled in the
EMT Pathways to EMS class through Elite and plan to get my Medic and then become a
flight nurse. In my off time, I enjoy playing softball and being outdoors.”
Annette Fraire
Annette has worked with Elite for almost 4 years as a field supervisor, a tech
with ACLS certification and as a Communications Specialist. Annette is
always willing to do what it takes to get the job done. “I enjoy the people I work
with. In my off time, I work as an EMT at Wet N Wild and enjoy spending time with
my kids!”
Albert Cigarroa
Albert used to work here when it was Rio Grande Ambulance as a Communications Specialist. He then worked at Life Ambulance, as an EMT for
approximately 6 months. He left El Paso to work in the oil fields and the
prison system before returning to Elite this summer as a Communications
Specialist. Albert gets great Kudos! Albert is attending Elite’s Pathways to
EMS (EMT-B) course this fall. “I enjoy working at Elite because the people are great!”
Corinna Crandall
Corinna started dispatching with Hudspeth Sherrif ’s Dept before going to
work for IPCS at WBAMC as a dispatcher/EMY and getting my paramedic
certification….took a break from the medical field and now have returned. I
spend a lot of my free time with my family and two grandchildren; we love to
ride and spend a lot of time with our horses.
Austin Sterkel
Austin has been with Elite for almost 4 months. He comes from Washington,
was in the Army and has been through the EMT class. Austin is also a
Certified CPR instructor. Austin states, in my off time “I enjoy spending time with
my family.”
From Airplanes to Taxi Cabs
The Elite Medical Transport “One Call Commitment”
This month Elite Medical Transport launches it’s “One Call Commitment”, a program designed with nursing
staff and case management in mind. Built around Elite’s 24-hour dispatch center, the “One Call Commitment”
represents a first in the patient transportation industry in El Paso, TX by providing a single telephone number and
dispatch center for the wide variety of patient transport methods utilized by community health care centers.
Through the program, Air Medical, ground ambulance, handicap accessible van/shuttle, and standard taxi cab
patient transport services can be ordered and delivered. For more information or to order any of these services,
please call the Christopher Webb at Elite Medical Transport at 915-542-1144 or send e-mail to
[email protected]
Home Instead Senior
Care, a locally owned and
operated
care
giving
service is gearing up to start this
season’s Be a Santa to a Senior gift
drive.
Each year Home Instead partners up
with organizations all over town to
collect wrap and deliver gifts to seniors
in our community who may not get a
present during the holidays. Each year
we look to broaden our community
partners, so if you are interested in
lifting the spirits of a senior in our
community please contact our office at
915-845-2555.
Home Instead Senior Care takes great
pride in the care of our seniors and will
continue in our efforts to enrich lives.
Adult Day Care – Professional care
including a bed and meals
Offering
Services
for
Everyone
Therapeutic and Recreational Services
– Focuses on providing a full scope of
activities to meet the needs of a variety of
residents
Physical, Occupational, and Speech
Therapy – This team strives to help each
resident requiring therapy to attain the
highest level of independence
Medicaid, Medicare, HMOs, and
Private Pay – There are several payment
options that our qualified staff will explain
helping you choose the best option for you
and your family.
Medic 7, Respond to 702 E. Paisano
for a high priority sick person!
Respite Care – this allows you the peace
of mind knowing that your loved ones are
being taken care of by a professional,
caring, loving staff while you are away on
vacation or traveling.
Call today:
Franklin Heights Nursing & Rehab
223 S Resler El Paso, Texas
915-584-9417
Vital Check
El Paso Health Professionals Appreciate One Another
by Christopher Webb
KUDOS!
We’d like to extend appreciation to all
the EMT Employees who went above
and beyond the call of duty last
month.
Joe Villalobos and Adrian Moreno for
voluntarily repairing a unit in our fleet
in the heat of the day.
Jesus Hernandez and Acata for fixing
the lights on one of our units.
Kudos from both Lee King and FTS,
Jen Montoya to Albert Cigarroa – for
great work in dispatch and for assistance with flights!
Kudos to Pam Warren for making
some great headway and arranging
several flights last month.
Compliments from the UMC Pedi
Team to Charlie and Alex for excellent
teamwork. UMC “Great assets to our
team”
Kudos to Yadira Manriquez for AWESOME QA – best seen in the first year of
launching the quality assurance policy in the
Communications Center.!!!
Kudos from UMC Northeast Center to L.
Aguilar and W. Lusk for exceptional
customer service regarding a delayed patient
procedure.
When El Pasoans are injured, go into labor, or suffer from an
acute condition like a heart attack, our local medical professionals
step up to the plate to coordinate and provide quality medical services to the people in our community.
Every day, hundreds of people come
into and out of our local healthcare
system and El Paso has the talented
health care professionals to make it all
happen. You could say that El Paso's
"got the right stuff". From the scene of
an accident to the rehabilitation and
therapy services that occur after hospital treatment, there are tens, even
hundreds, of local El Pasoans that
impact the quality of life for our
patients.
That's going to change this month.
We're bringing together all levels of
health care workers in a friendly and
casual environment complete with
awards, live music, and camaraderie.
We'll be pulling from all area hospitals,
nursing homes, ambulance companies,
home health agencies, treatment
centers, etc... to bring people together
in appreciation of the hard work we all
do as a part of supporting the local
healthcare system.
Before a patient even steps foot (or
stretcher) into a local hospital, 911 is
called, dispatchers send EMS crews,
and EMTs and Paramedics provide
packaging, emergency treatment, and
transport of the patient. Once inside
the hospital, specialty healthcare
providers order services, run tests, and
provide advanced treatments and
surgeries for those in need. After this,
it's on to rehabilitation, physical
therapy, skilled nursing homes, and
even hospice.
Aceitunas Beer Garden has been kind
enough to provide us a venue for this
event and we're planning some great
entertainment including live music
from Bosse, speakers from the community, and a bunch of other fun items on
our agenda that we cant divulge just yet.
According to U.S. Census data, over 7%
of employed El Pasoans are categorized as health care industry workers
with an estimated 15,400 people in the
health care industry in our community.
Though all of these individuals are
related and share a common line of
work, chances are that any one of us
really only knows a small fraction of
the people we support and who
support us.
It's going to be a great night to
network, an even better night to pat our
partners on the back, and a perfect
night to make our healthcare community even stronger. Don't miss this
opportunity to brush shoulders and
chat with other healthcare professionals in a casual and fun setting.
Thursday, October 21st
Aceitunas Beer Garden
5200 Doniphan Dr.
6:00pm
Practicing Safe Body Mechanics
Taking Time to Properly Lift Can Save Your Back
by Susan Gotaas, PT
ealthcare workers are at high risk for back and
H other
injuries related to lifting. According to
the Centers of Disease control, direct and indirect
costs associated with back injury in the healthcare
industry are estimated at 20 billion dollars annually.
Time away from a job because of an injury is not
only stress for the employers, but to the employees
coworkers, who are having to fill the gap in many
circumstances for the employees who in injured.
Nursing staff, in particular, have the highest rates of
incidence of back injury. Nurses account for close to
19% of all healthcare workers injuries. Many healthcare workers are at risk for injury as they have higher
muscle skeletal demands and stressful postures
which predispose them to injury. Nurses are injured
more frequently than manual laborers and construction workers. The way to avoid an injury is to practice
safe body mechanics.
Practicing safe body mechanics takes a conscious effort, but when used correctly injury
can be avoided.
When lifting a patient or any object, you can
use the following general body mechanics as a
guide to avoid an injury.
Know how heavy the object is before you lift.
Your mind prepares your body for movement
and if you are not mentally prepared; you will
not be physically prepared either. If the patient
you are assisting requires a lot of help or the
object is heavy, stop and get help to lift.
Stand close to the patient or object you want to
lift so that you avoid reaching, bending forward
and twisting.
Have a good base of support with your feet at
least shoulder width apart. This will allow you
to evenly take on weight and shift your weight
if necessary to steady the object or patient.
When lifting, bend at your knees to get down to
the level of the patient or object you are lifting.
Your back should stay in a neutral position
throughout the lift.
Hold the object or person close to you. Your
elbows should be bent and close to your sides.
Lifting or holding objects with your elbows
straight out in front of you puts additional
strain on your upper extremities.
Pivot to place an object or patient or take small
steps when going from one place to another.
Avoid stretching, bending or reaching. These
movements put you at risk for injury.
Be sure to complete your lift and follow the
same practices that you did when lifting, when
lowering a patient or an object to the surface
you are going to.
Many healthcare workers have or can have periods of
sedentary workloads and often do not prepare their
bodies to work in between patient care. Stop and
stretch frequently throughout the day to keep your
body prepared for work. Be safe out there and seek
medical attention sooner rather than later if you do
suffer an injury.
Susan Gotaas is the Director of Therapy for Highlands Regional Rehabilitation Hospital.
THE EL PASO AFFILIATE OF SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE
CURE NAMES STEPHANIE FLORA AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
EL PASO – September 20, 2010 – The
El Paso Affiliate of Susan G. Komen
for the Cure® announces the hiring of
Stephanie Flora as Executive Director.
Flora will provide overall management
of the Affiliate, including strategic
planning, volunteer and staff oversight,
fund development, and financial management. In addition, she will act as
liaison to the Board of Directors and
represent Susan G. Komen for the
Cure® to the public and community
organizations.
Flora brings with her extensive experience in fund development, event management, and nonprofit administration.
Most recently, she served as the Director of Fund Development for the Lubbock Region with Girl Scouts of Texas
Oklahoma Plains, Inc. She received a
B.A. in Psychology from the University
of Texas at Austin and an M.S.W. in
Community Organizing, Policy, Planning, and Administration from Boston
College.
Erich Morales, Board Chair of the El
Paso Affiliate, states, “We are very
excited to have someone of Stephanie's
calibre, experience and energy join our
El Paso Susan G. Komen for the Cure
family. Our El Paso community will
benefit from her leadership."
In
further developments, Brenda Maxon
was recently hired as the Affiliate Coordinator, and John Payne continues his
commitment to the El Paso Affiliate as
the Event Manager. For more information about the El Paso Affiliate of
Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, please
visit: http://www.komenelpaso.org.
activists fighting to save lives, empower
people, ensure quality care for all and
energize science to find the cures.
Thanks to events like the Komen Race
for the Cure, we have invested nearly
$1.5 billion to fulfill our promise,
becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight
against breast cancer in the world.
Now in its eighteenth year, the El Paso
Affiliate is dedicated to the Komen
mission, supporting and sponsoring
breast cancer education and awareness
programs throughout El Paso County.
Since its inception, the El Paso Affiliate
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure® has produced more than three million
dollars to provide underserved men
and the Komen El Paso Affiliate
and women with breast cancer educascreening
and
treatment
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying tion,
sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do resources.
everything in her power to end breast
cancer forever. In 1982, that promise
became Susan G. Komen for the Cure
and launched the global breast cancer
movement. Today, Komen for the Cure
is the world's largest grassroots
network of breast cancer survivors and
Rhinos Need Healthcare Too!
T
he long-awaited El Paso hockey season is about to begin and the El Paso
Rhinos are bringing back the action! With a new player lineup and over
twenty scheduled home games, this year's hockey season is sure to be a good one.
Everyone knows that hockey is a rough sport with plenty of drama and injury on
the ice but you don't have to be wearing a pair of ice skates to suffer an injury or
medical emergency while in attendance of one of these awesome games.
Fear not! Elite Medical Transport is the newest player on the Rhinos' team and
though you won't see us wearing any jerseys or skating across the ice, we'll be
there to provide the much needed emergency medical care for the event and
onlookers. Through a new agreement with the El Paso Rhinos, Elite Medical
Transport will be providing two Emergency Medical Technicians as well as one fully equipped ambulance at each home
game. We're excited about this opportunity to serve the Rhinos and can't wait to see you at the rink!
For more El Paso Rhinos information and tickets, please see their website at www.elpasorhinos.com or call 915-479-7825.
Discounted Ambulance Services - What You Should Know
Original Article by Page, Wolfberg, and Wirth - EMS Law Firm
PWW Article - The Discounting Dilemma
expenses associated with Part B billing.
How much can you discount your services without
getting in trouble with the law? A good question for
which at this point, no one has a clear answer. This
brief article attempts to put the issue in perspective
and remove some of the “cloud of uncertainty” that
goes with it.
But in this case the provider was only able to demonstrate marginal cost savings of approximately 10%
between its Part A and its Part B costs, primarily from
the fact that it was not required to bill Part B for the
PPS trips. A marginal cost savings of 10% was not, in
Overview of the Problem
A key government weapon in the anti-fraud campaign
is the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS), 42 U.S.C. §
1320a - 7b(b). An important area of potential violation
under the AKS involves discounts that are granted by a
supplier of Medicare service to other suppliers and
providers in order to obtain additional federal health
care business. Discounts provided to hospitals and
skilled nursing facilities (“SNFs”) are particularly
suspect when:
The ambulance service discounts prices below the
ambulance service’s fully loaded cost per transport;
The ambulance service discounts prices on Medicare
Part A or PPS covered ambulance service in return
for---explicitly or implicitly---other federal program
business, such as Part B Medicare covered service.
What the Law Says
The AKS prohibits any knowing or willful solicitation or
receipt of any remuneration (including any kickback,
bribe, or rebate) directly or indirectly, in cash or in kind,
in return for referrals of services reimbursable by any
federal health care program. The statute has criminal
section also provides civil monetary penalties of up to
$50,000 per violation (i.e., per transport) for acts that
violate the anti-kickback statute. 42 U.S.C. § 1320a7a(a)(7).
A conviction under the AKS is grounds for automatic
exclusion from the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
way” law---both parties to an unlawful arrangement
can be found in violation and are thus equally at risk,
which is a key point when negotiating with nursing
facilities and hospitals.
In addition to potential criminal liability under the
anti-kickback statute, there is legal authority that any
claim tainted by a kickback arrangement is a "false or
fraudulent" claim under the Federal False Claims Act,
31 U.S.C. § 3729. Parties to such arrangements risk
exposure not only to the government but also to qui
tam “whistleblower” lawsuits by their employees,
competitors, and others.
What the OIG Says About Discounted Contracts
In February of 1999, the OIG released Advisory
Opinion (AO) 99-2. The ambulance provider in AO 99-2
proposed to enter into an agreement with a skilled
being given to the SNF. There would be a violation of
the AKS if the requisite intent to induce the referral of
Part B business were present. Intent to induce a
referral is much harder to prove than the discount
itself, but courts have held that intent can be proven
even if the inducement of the referral is only one
reason for the providing the discount, and not the sole
reason.
Well, How Much Can We Discount?
It is fair to ask: (1) is any discounting allowed, and (2) if
so, how much? On September 22, 1999 the OIG
released a letter, which notes that the key inquiry
under the anti-kickback statute is whether the
discount on the PPS-covered business is intended to
induce the referral of Part B business. The actual size or
structure of the discount is not the only thing that is
examined. However, even a minimal discount could
potentially implicate the AKS, but only if the intent to
induce the referral was present---and “intent” is a state
of mind that the OIG cannot evaluate in an opinion
letter.
The OIG has stated that when evaluating discounts
under the AKS, it will look to determine whether the
item or service in question by individuals or entities
who have an arms-length relationship and who have
1320a-7. This action would be separate from any
criminal or administrative action under the AKS.
In an April 20, 2000 letter to the American Ambulance
Association, the Chief Counsel to the Inspector
General indicated that the “substantially in excess”
exclusionary authority would not be implicated unless
a provider’s Medicare charge is substantially in excess
of its median non-Medicare/Medicaid charge. While
this may seem like a positive development, we must
keep in mind that the “substantially in excess”
statutory AKS criminal provisions.
Conclusion
Some good news---we know of no actual criminal
enforcement of the AKS against an ambulance
provider for “unlawful” discounting, and the OIG
opinions are not court determinations that are
binding on anyone except the party requesting the
opinion. But that does not mean that the OIG opinions
should be ignored, as they are a “roadmap” on how the
OIG would enforce the statute. And no company
wants to see an OIG investigation.
Until there is clearer guidance and court decisions on
the subject, we believe that the best way to minimize
the risk of raising AKS implications in your arrangements is to follow a few simple guidelines:
Know Your Costs. Make certain that you have a handle
on all the costs that go into providing a unit of service.
OA 99-2 refers to taking the total of all costs divided by
the total number of ambulance trips. Certainly you can
allocate appropriate overhead costs to coming up
negotiations with the facility.
business to each other."
“Fair market value” is a determination that the parties
to a facility contract need to make based on evaluating
ambulance provider give the same rate to an entity
that doesn’t refer any Medicare Part B business? If the
answer is YES, then it is less likely that the AKS is
violated.
The “bottom line” is that the rates charged to a facility
Medicare Part A or PPS covered trips) should be
greater than the costs of providing that service, and
“safe” discount for non-Part B trips would be one that is
equal or close to the ambulance service’s Medicare
Part B approved charges for that service, but it could
possibly be lower, depending on your costs and the
fair market value of services in your community, as
long as no illegal intent to induce the referral is
present.
Negotiate at “Arms Length” Sweetheart arrangements
free wheelchair van service or memberships for
everyone) may be suspect. Keep your negotiations
business-like and professional.
Educate Your Facilities Provide them with information
on the AKS and other materials from newsletters, the
OIG, HCFA, the AAA, and other state associations or
sources to help the facility understand that they also
have a responsibility as you do to avoid potentially
unlawful arrangements, and that they are subject to
potential liability.
Critically Review the Proposed Contract. Seek competent advice in making sure there are protections built
into the contract that help minimize risk of an AKS
violation and other legal landmines. The agreement
should provide the safeguards you need to ensure
Another Separate Issue: Exclusion From Medicare
tying your hands behind your back. Don’t simply sign
its Medicare allowable charge. The provider claimed
that it should be permitted to give discounts to the
facility because the provider’s cost in serving the Part
A residents was lower than the cost in serving Part B
residents, primarily because it did not incur the
In addition to direct implication of the AKS---even if
the discounting practice does not constitute grounds
for an AKS violation---the ambulance service may be
excluded from the Medicare program for charging
Medicare an amount “substantially in excess” of its
usual charges made to other payers. 42 U.S.C. §
review and negotiation where possible. Many such
contracts contain boilerplate slanted in favor of only
the facility’s interests.
Pathways to EMS - Civilian to EMT Program
Becoming an Emergency Medical
Technician has never been easier than it
is today with Elite Medical Transport’s
Pathways to EMS program.
The program, designed to take civilians
and turn them into EMTs has been a
huge success in the short month and a
half the program has been in place.
Thanks go especially to the El Paso
Center for Children who has been
instrumental in providing candidates for
the program through their own
Transitional living Program initiatives.
Thanks to our partners in the
community along with some great
word-of-mouth, Elite has completely
filled two EMT-Basic courses which
begin the first week of October.
For more information on this program, please contact Roman Valles (Director of Education at Elite Medical
Transport) or Lee King (Director of Operations) at [email protected] or [email protected].
You can also call us locally in El Paso at 915-542-1144. This industry is growing rapidly and we want you to
join our team!
Elite Medical Transport is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Employee Spotlight
Christine Ortiz
Christine has been a valued Vital
employee since 2008. Her knowledge and
experience in medical billing has been a
great asset to our company over the last
few years.
Vital Business Services is an outsourced
ambulance billing service providing
insurance billing and collections to
companies in the southwest.
Their innovative and efficient billing
procedures are helping areas like the City
of Presidio, Tx and others ensure that
reimbursement rates remain high across
a wide payor mix. For more information
on Vital Business Services, please contact
LeeAnn Phillips at 915-542-1194.
After high school graduation from
Canutillo High School in June of 2004
she attended International Business
College. Christine graduated from IBC
February of 2005 with a certificate in
Medical Office Administration.
Christine began her billing career in
September of 2005 while working for the
El Paso Fire Department. Christine is
currently working toward her associates
degree in billing and coding.
Jobs
Elite Medical Transport is accepting
applications for the following positions...
Flight Nurses
Flight Paramedics
Ground Ambulance Paramedics
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
For more information, please apply in person
at:
702 E. Paisano
El Paso, TX 79901
Christine Ortiz - Vital Business Services
Advertise with us!
The Response Times is doubling in growth and distribution
every month! With distribution to all area healthcare
facilities, treatment centers, nursing homes, and other
healthcare services, there’s no better way to reach your target
audience than an ad in the Response Times. At only $3/sq in,
you won’t find a better deal either! For more information
about advertising in the Response Times, please call
Christohopher Webb at 915-603-8900 or email to
[email protected].
Customer Service Improvements at Elite - by Sally Dixon
Elite Medical Transport has kicked their customer service into high gear. Already known for their outstanding
delivery, the dispatch center is completing a series of workshops aimed to enhance the existing high quality
service. Six workshops, headed by Communications Supervisor, Danielle Mendez, target key areas that effect
vocal delivery. Danielle smiles to herself as she listens in one of her peers, “This is really bringing our dispatch
center to a whole new level.”
The workshop has become a part of the daily routine of each dispatcher. Practicing how quickly they speak while
focusing on pronunciation and maintaining a great tone can be a real challenge to overcome. Regional accents as
well as posture are closely looked at when attempting to overcome barriers to vocal delivery. This workshop
breaks down vocal delivery by tone, pacing, clarity, filler words (um), acronyms, and listening. One dispatch states:
“This is really making me think about things like articulation and pacing in a way I never have before.”
They are skills that can be carried for the rest of the person’s life. They come in handy at work, home, in social situations; virtually anytime
communicating is necessary. Elite Medical Transport is always looking for new and innovative ways to boost their customer’s experience.
This workshop has proven to be a strong reinforcement to Elite’s dedication to excellence.
Strategic Marketing
Playing Chess When Others Are Playing Checkers
by Christopher Webb
Market Systems
around the concept of repetition and all
the strategies employed should be
reproducible many times over within your
budget to ensure that your message is
driven home with your potential market.
When it comes to marketing any
company, the key to success lies in having
a clear message to take to the market and
the repetition of that message to
potential consumers. Though this may
sound simple, the task of marketing your
company or brand efficiently takes a lot
of skill and planning.
Marketing is a strategy-based game.
There are those in the marketplace
playing checkers while others are playing
chess. The amount of strategy and
planning put into your marketing efforts
greatly affect the overall success of your
marketing plan (and ultimately your
business).
The multi-touch marketing approach
relies on some solid consumer
psychology research regarding how
potential buyers interpret your marketing
message as well as the behaviors that
induce consumers into making a
purchase. Though industries vary widely
and the products and services available to
the modern-day consumer are seemingly
infinite, the marketing challenge is one
every company faces and many respond
to incorrectly.
Consider this one topic in terms of (pronounced "mike") Market Systems is a
strategic marketing:
new kind of company to the El Paso area
that bridges the gaps between marketing
It is common to see businesses allocate a know-how and the efficient use of
budget for marketing efforts and then technology in the marketing process.
misappropriate
those
funds
on Experienced in marketing to healthcare
ineffective or inadequate marketing industries combined with their ability to
strategies. When developing your create custom, integrated customer
marketing plan, keep in mind that you relationship management and marketing
should not determine the advertising
delivery vehicles or strategies (TV ads, the checkers club.
Billboards, Radio, etc) until after you’ve
allocated your budget (which comes after Getting ahead isn't easy. Staying ahead is
you’ve identified your target market and even harder. If your company is
the
marketing
message
itself). struggling putting a strategic marketing
Remember, getting your message in front
of a customer once is nowhere near as
effective as getting another, even For more information, see their web site
cheaper, message in front of them ten at http://www.mikmarket.com/ or call
times.
Sally Dixon at 915-329-1243.
Research conducted by the National
Business Association, indicates that up to
60% of businesses fail due to a lack of
understanding (or underestimating) the
marketing efforts required to grow sales
in a business. Google "Why businesses
fail" and you will be hard-pressed to find
an article that doesn't list marketing at the
Your marketing plan should be built
very top of the list.
There's a new player in town, one with a
history in medical marketing (and many