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The Department of Health
Services regulates ambulance
services within the state
of Arizona and sets
charge rates for ambu-
lance transports.
Ambulance providers
may request adjustments
to their rates no sooner
than every six months,
or based on DHS initi-
ating an automatic rate
increase, which they do
periodically based on the
medical consumer price
index and other cost
factors. The following NA/IH
adjustments have been HA/IME
made to Sedona Fire
e
District ambulance
transport rates over the last
few years (date, transport rate,
mileage):
11/30/07, $600.71, $8A6
10/28/08, $1,056.83, $16.01
5/!4/10, $1,150.89, $17.44
The ambulance transport
revenue rates have continued to
increase as overall tax collec-
tions for SFD have decreased,
,resulting in a higher percentage
of the overall revenue coming
from this non-tax source, and
therefore offsetting the amount
needed to be collected through
taxes. Ambulance transport
revenue is projected at approxi-
mately $1.6 million for the 2011
Fiscal Year.
SFD bills in accordance with
federal rules set up by the Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid
Services which regulate a
variety of aspects of medical
billing procedures and practices.
Per these rules, we are required
to bill all patients' insurance
companies. Per a longstanding
SFD Fire Board Policy, residents
or property owners within the
Sedona Fire District limits pay
no balance after insurance. Only
nonresidents will be billed for
the. portion of their ambulance
transport services not covered
' by insurance. ~'
SFD's- biil]ng specialist
must keep abreast of nfimerous
federal regulations regarding
medical billing, changes in
insurance laws, and execution
of insurance allowables through
various contractual agreements
with government supplemental
payment and insurance plans.
The billing specialist also acts
as SFD's compliance officer for
federal and state laws impacting
patient privacy and medical
records management and must
have a thorough understanding
of various medical procedures
which dictate level of services
for which SFD may bill.
SFD paramedics and EMTs
From
the Chief
use medical report-writing soft-
ware in the field to electroni-
cally capture aS much
pertinent treatment and
billing information in
order that our billing
specialist has the neces-
sary information fo
maximize opportunity
for reimbursement. This
software also interfaces
with the medical billin~
software, so that we
may utilize technology
where w~ can to maxi-
mize revenue.
SFD contracts with
most government insur-
ance plans, including
Medicare, Arizona
Health Care Cost Containment
System, Veterans Affairs, etc.
Although the approved DHS
rate for Sedona Fire District is
$1,150.89, payments can vary
based on level of treatment.
By contracting with CMS, we
agree to accept their allowable
rates.
Facts From the Chief written
by Sedona Fire District Fire
Chief Nazih M. Hazime, appears
on the first Wednesday of each
month.
RED ROCK NEWS, Sedona, Arizona Wednesday, November 3, 2010 - 9A
County releases regional trail plan
By Mark Lineberger
LARSON NEWSPAPERS
A final draft of a plan to tie the trail
system in the Verde Valley together was
released to the public late last month by
Yavapai County.
The plan looks to other successful trail
efforts, including the work of residents
Howard Parrish, Doug Roy and Lynn
Reddell, among others, to reestablish
the old Camp Verde to Payson mail trail.
The connected trails in red rock country
were also put forward as an example of
successful trail-building
Now the plan will be floated efforts.
to local communities for input The group spells out
on what the county hopes The CUFFent specific goals for the trails
to accomplish. The county
defines the plan as a "long-
range vision for how trails
and open space networks
could fit into the future vision
for the Verde Valley" and "a
practical resource and guide
for all of the communities and
land agencies."
The plan has been years in
the making.
In 2004, a group of trail
a,dvocates and representa-
tives of several agencies
throughout the Verde Valley
got together with the idea of
creating a master trail plan for
the area.
The group worked with
local governments and other
organizations to study the
economic
situation led
the state to
suspend much
of this type of
funding, but
the plan looks
to the long
term.
then-current state of the trails in the
region.
Efforts started with collecting GPS
data on the trails to create a map to work
with.
plan, hoping to promote
connectivity between local
agencies to manage a Verde
Valley-wide system of trails.
The plan also looks at
ways a regional trail system
could be funded, including
money from the 2009
federal stimulus bill, or the
American Recovery and
Investment Act.
Other potential sources
include federal transporta-
tion dollars,for nonmotor-
ized trails and state funding
and grants;
The current economic
situation led the state to
Suspend much of this type of
funding, but the plan looks
to the long term.
Revenue bonds, hotel taxes and devel-
opment impact fees are addressed in
the plan as other potential sources of
'funding.
The plan argues that trails "positively
impact individuals and improve commu-
nities by providing not only recreation
and transportation opportunities, but also
by influencing economic and community
development. Trails provide countless
opportunities for economic renewal and
growth."
An established and maintained trail
system also has the benefit of reducing
the number of social trails people create,
trails that have the potential to Cause
damage to the local environment and
ecosystem, a particular concern in a
valley where one of Arizona's only year-
round flowing rivers is located.
The plan's authors also cite a 1992
National Park Service study that showed
trails provide economic benefits to
surrounding areas, bringing in visitors
who spend money at local businesses.
Also included in the plan are more
technical descriptions of ideal trail main-
tenance standards and the stories behind
some of the fiistoric trails in the area.
Camp Verde and Cottonwood have
already had a look at the plan. It will be
sent around to other communities, both
incorporated and unincorporated, in the
coming weeks before being sent back to
the county Board of Supervisors shortly
after the new year.
The entire plan is available for review
online at www.co.yavapai.az.us.
Mark Lineberger can be reached at
567-3341 ore-mail
CVEditor @larsonnewspapers.com
Ostomy groups meet
every month at WMC
Verde Valley Medical Center
is reaching out and embracing
the local community of ostomy
patients, along with their loved
ones and community members by
hosting monthly ostomy support
groups. This group provides a
supportive and sharing environ-
ment for all iqdividuals, family
members and friends affected by,
ostomy surgery.
The next meeting is
Wednesday, Nov. 3, from 4 to
6 p.m. in the medical center's
Conference Room A. This
'meeting wilt provide partici-
pants the opportunity to meet
with community ostomates and
other support group members.
For easy access to Conference
Room A, park in the visitor
lot on Candy Lane and enter
through the Outpatient Services
entrance.
To learn more about ostomy
surgeries and the ostomy
support group at VVMC, visit
VerdeValleyMedicalCenter.
corn or call Susan Lynch at
639-6330.
STEPHEN E LEX,'M.D.
JACK QUIGLEY, M.o.
ALAN DURKIN, M.D.
WEEKLY CLINICS IN
SEDONA, COTTONWOOD,
VILLAGE OF OAK CREEK
1-800-962-1390
www.psna, net
1020 North San Francisco Street
Flagstaff, Arizona