EMS Agency Institutes “Pay as You Go” Service

Rural/Metro Corporation announced today that it is instituting a “Pay as you go” option in several of their regional sites.
visa_mastercard_discovercard_logo
Beginning in the next few weeks, Rural / Metro ambulances will install software and hardware in its fleet of ambulances that will allow crews to collect and process credit card payments at the time services are rendered.

Spokespersons within the company stress that “Point of use” payment will not be mandatory for patients, however they state they will give patients a 15% discount for immediate payment as an incentive. Crews will also be permitted and encouraged to take check or cash payments for those without credit cards.

They further state that ambulance crews will be given a bonus of 10% of the patient’s total bill every time they collect payment. They believe this incentive will motivate crews to request payment at time of service.

The company has issued this directive as part of it’s plan to emerge from it’s recently filed bankruptcy. “By instituting this payment option, we hope to increase revenue immediately, instead of waiting for insurance companies to pay.” They state this rapid infusion of cash is essential to restructuring the company.

The company believes this measure will be very popular with the public, as it allows them to take advantage of savings for their healthcare. Crews would inform the patient or their family of the detailed cost of services, including fees for each individual procedure, such as starting an IV, placing the patient on a backboard or giving medications.

“Not only will patients receive a significant immediate discount, but their costs will also be lowered by being able to decline certain procedures. This gives them more power over their healthcare decisions” stated their spokesperson.

Spokespeople also stated that aside from an immediate increase in collection revenue, a side benefit of this plan will be to give the company more latitude in pricing. “By keeping insurance companies out of our business decisions, we can more accurately fix our prices to maximize income, and pass this profit on to our shareholders”.

About Zod

Mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper. Fights a never-ending battle for half-truths, disinformation and agitating the dimwitted. Find what I write distasteful? Then get better taste. And remember, it isn't a lie if you believe it.