WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS OK TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN EMS, NURSING HOMES

  

Washington County Commissioners approved an agreement for transportation assistance between EMS and local nursing homes at their meeting today (Monday).

The agreement allows EMS to transport nursing home residents to or from a medical facility in the event that the transportation offered by the nursing home is not in operation.  The agreement only applies for residents who do not meet federal Medicare or Medicaid guidelines for ambulance transportation.

Per the agenda packet, the policy is intended to serve as a safeguard which, according to EMS, is already provided but rarely utilized.  Prior to this agreement, residents were billed the full price of a typical EMS treatment and transport.

The agreement also creates a mechanism where ambulances may be required to transport residents who do not meet federal ambulance transportation requirements in the event of in-house facility disasters, such as fire or flooding.  The purpose is to provide the assistance at a reduced rate, since the residents do not need medical treatment but do need to be transported to a secure location.

The service will come at a rate of $400 plus $20 per loaded mile for transportation needs.  There is also a waiting fee of $125 per hour for when an ambulance cannot leave a patient at an appointment.  Patients who meet federal guidelines for non-emergency or emergency transportation by ambulance will be billed in typical fashion and at normal county-approved rates.

The agreement was approved without further discussion from the court.

Also at today’s meeting, the court:

• Approved the purchase of a Helios small scale barrel burner for controlled burning by the sheriff’s office, using $6,716 in sheriff’s forfeiture funds. The 55 gallon, stainless steel burn barrel is used for burning confiscated drugs.
• Approved a 2020-21 budget amendment for the Washington County Appraisal District. The appraisal district is reallocating $87,960 in surplus funds to use for building security and technology updates, fleet replacement and new collection appraisal software.
• Approved enrolling county employees in a certified cybersecurity training through the Texas Association of Counties.
• Heard monthly reports from the emergency management coordinator, county clerk, justices of the peace, auditor, tax assessor/collector, treasurer, elections administrator and constables.
• Approved the racial profiling reports of all precincts of the Washington County Constable’s Office.
• Proclaimed February 2022 as National Parent Leadership Month.