SANBORN, N.Y. — Legislation was passed this session that allows volunteer fire companies to bill insurance companies for EMS services rendered. It’s set to help companies recoup millions.

While celebration has been underway, there’s also concern this new law is just a Band-Aid to a much larger issue. That would be staffing issues.

What You Need To Know

  • Funding and subsequently staffing are major issues for both volunteer and paid EMS 

  •  In 2021, 15% of available EMS personnel didn’t renew their cards

  • Emergency Medical Services is not considered an essential service

  • Recently passed EMS Cost Recovery Act isn't seen as viable solution to funding gaps 

Tri Community Ambulance is all settled into its new home.

“With this, we are able to offer the community an outlet for education, for CPR training, first aid training, we are able to open up not like weren’t able to before,” said Raymond Hubert, second assistant chief with Tri-Community Ambulance Service, Inc.

Hubert provided a firsthand look at the 6,000-square-foot facility. It is in addition to the main hall located just about two miles away.

“We run over 2,100 calls a year,” Hubert said.

That’s with 150 volunteers, covering 75 square miles of service area. Hubert says it’s a great number, and a staff list that big is uncommon.

“There are organizations nationwide closing down because they don’t have the staff to respond to calls,” Hubert said.

In fact, in 2021, 15% of available EMS personnel didn’t renew their cards.

“Less than 50% of those with a valid card, less than 50% took a call in 2021,” said Syed Ahmed Mustafa, president and CEO, as well as a paramedic, at North East Quadrant Advanced Life Support out of Webster.

Mustafa is also part of a 12-member state senate-appointed task force, called the Rural EMS Task Force, to find a solution to staffing and funding.

“For many years, emergency medical services have been trying to explain to local, county, state levels that the financial practices are not adequate,” Mustafa said. “We are not able to survive this model.”

His concern is soon it will be realized the EMS Cost Recovery Act is simply not enough to keep this life-saving service going.

“Third-party billing is not going to work,” Mustafa said. “The Medicaid reimbursement in the state is actually less than the cost of running an ambulance call.”

Those calls range from $800 to $1,200. That payment isn’t a guarantee, either.

“You only get paid when the ambulance rolls,” Mustafa said, "and when the person pays. So if you roll and the call gets canceled, nobody pays for the staff, the fuel.”

Mustafa says last year they were called 7,960 times, and they only transported for half of those calls.

“The biggest challenge in EMS is the unpredictability of our income,” Mustafa said.

Companies need that money to train and retain staff. Hubert says Tri-Community is doing its part to ensure reimbursements are adequate. They are part of a federal study with the Office for Medicare Reimbursement. They are keeping track of their expenses and reporting them back to the office so it can update the next fee schedule.

“If the reimbursement rates are so low that we cannot cover the costs, there is no way we can grow,” Hubert said.

That ultimately hurts the growing communities they serve. 

EMS is also not considered an essential service. There’s also a lack of funding to support EMS students through school. They aren’t paid while training like police officers or firefighters.

Mustafa hopes to have results from the task force soon. They only have two years to figure out a plan addressing all these issues. 

Spectrum News 1 reached out to state Sen. Pam Helming for an update. She spearheaded the task force and provided the following statement:

"The Rural Ambulance Services Task Force was formed as a result of a bill I co-sponsored (S3503C) in a bipartisan effort to address the need for greater access to quality ambulatory services for our rural areas. My nominee for the Task Force, Mr. Syed Ahmed Mustafa, was appointed by the Senate Minority. It is my understanding the Senate Majority has neglected to make their appointments and has yet to convene the Task Force. This lack of action suggests they do not consider rural ambulance service a priority. I continue to advocate for the important work that has yet to be done. I am calling on my Senate Majority colleagues, especially those in Upstate where the shortage of service is critical, to take immediate action."