Item H7
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
LOWER AND MIDDLE KEYS FIRE AND AMBULANCE DISTRICT
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: November 20-21. 2001
Division: Public Safety
Bulk Item: Yes
No~
Department: Emergency Medical Services
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of Resolution authorizing the write off of EMS Accounts Receivable,
in the total amount of $326.66.
ITEM BACKGROUND: The attached Resolution requests to write off the balances of the patient accounts that
are listed on Exhibit A, in the total amount of$326.66. Correspondence relating to each account is attached.
PREVIOUS REVEL ANT BOCC ACTION: None.
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: N/A
ST AFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Approval.
TOTAL COST:
BUDGETED: Yes
No
COST TO COUNTY:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No
AMOUNTPERMONTH_ Year
APPROVED BY: County Atty X
OMB/Purchasing N/ A
Risk Management N/ A
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
es R. "Reggie" Paros
DOCUMENTATION:
Included X
To Follow
Not Required
DISPOSITION:
AGENDAITEM# /-~
Revised 2/27/01
OCT-31-01 08:51 FROM:MONROE COUNTY ATTY OFFICE ID:3052923516
PAGE
2/2
Emergency Medical Services
RESOLUTION NO. -2001
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE
LOWER AND MIDDLE KEYS FIRE AND AMBULANCE
DISTRICT OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
AUTHORIZING THE WRITE-OFF OF EMS ACCOUNTS
REeEIV ABLE
WHEREAS, MOMOe County Emergency Medical Services provides ambulance service; and
WHEREAS. attempts to collect the full amount from the service recipients have been made;
and
WHEREAS, it has been determined that further collection efforts are fruitless and would only
incur additional costs to continue to bill the recipient as the insurance coverage afforded said recipients
is not sufficient to coveT all recipient's medical damages, and recipient continues to suffer great
financial hardship; now. therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS THE LOWER AND MIDDLE
KEYS FIRE AND AMBULANCE DISTRICT OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Service recipients listed on attached Exhibit A accounts receivable in the amount of $326.66 be
deleted from the COWlty'S Emergency Medical Services Department accounts receivable list.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Governors of the Lower and Middle Keys Fire and
Ambulance Dis1rict of Monroe County, Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held on the
day of .2001.
Chairperson Yvonne Harper
Mayor George Neugent
Commissioner Nora Williams
Commissioner MUlTay Nelson
Commissioner Dixie Spehar
(SEAL)
BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF.THE
LOWER AND MIDDLE KEYS FIRE AND
AMBULANCE DISTRICT OF
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Attest: DANNY L.KOLHAGE, Clerk
By:
Mayor/Chairperson
By
Deputy Clerk
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(305) 2!M-~.1
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MAYOR George Neugent, District Z
Mayor Pro tem Nora Williams, District 4
Charles McCoy. District 3
Murray Nelson, District 5
Dixie Spehar, District 1
Office of the County Attorney
P.O. Box 1026
Key West, FL 33041-1026
305/292-3470 - Phone
305/292-3516 - Fax
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Darice L. Hayes, Administrative Asst.
Public Safety DivisionlEMS
Suzanne A. Hutton et9i(
Assistant County Attorney
FROM:
DATE:
September 10, 2001
SUBJECT:
Haskell and Thoman
I have reviewed the two settlement requests which you forwarded to me, In order to Write-off any or all of the
amounts which are being requested to be written ofT, you would have to place resolutions before the County
Commission.
Inasmuch as Mr. Haskell incurred his debt more than two years ago, the statute of limitations is expired, There
is a good argument in favor of accepting the offer in that: (1) we are standing in line apparently with a number
of other medical providers to attempt to get payment from insurance coverage which is insufficient to pay all of
the providers~ and (2) to continue dickering to get any of the payment made could result in the statute of
limitations running out and precluding us from collecting any of it. Although we are not in immediate danger of
the statute of limitations running out, we would have to be diligent in attempting to recover payment and
instituting suit before that time period elapsed. Of course, since we are being offered $194.44, the remaining
amount of $291,66 is not worth undergoing legal action.
With respect to Mr, Thoman, there is still about 21f2 years before the statute of limitations would run out and
there is only $35 at stake, should it never be paid. We have received approximately 94% of the bill incurred.
The cost of seeking the remainder may outweigh the amount.
Neither of the debtors provide any reason which would legally require us to reduce the accounts. In both cases,
a business decision should be made to determine whether to recommend to the County Commission writing off
the amounts requested to be excused, I have attempted to provide you with reasons which might support, or
perhaps negate, such decisions, If it is determined that a recommendation for accepting the lesser amount of
Haskell's account and writing off the remainder as well as writing off the $35 on Thoman's account, resolutions
will have to go before the BOCC.
Please feel free to call if you have any questions,
OCT-29-2001 10:57 FROM:GWT,P.A.
3055311 708
TO:1 305 289 6336
P.002/002
.'
GROVER, WEINSTEIN & TROP, P.A.
AnORNEYS AT LAW
RoeeRT L. GROVER
MARVIN WEINSTEIN
ADAM TROP"
DAVID A. HAGEN
MARK S. WEINSl'EIN-
RHONDA WeINSTeiN
m ARTHUR GODFREY ROAO, seCOND FLOOR
MIAMI BEACH. FLORIDA 33140
TELEPHONE (:l05) 67:l.3000
TOLL FREE (800) 626-5913
FACSIMILE (305)531.1708
DOWNTOWN OFFICE:
66 WEST FlAGLER STREET
SEVENTH FLOOR
MIAMI. FLORIDA 33130
TELEPHONe (:l05) In.4840
~ACSIMII.e (305) 377.4414
E-MAIL: grovewoin@aol.eom
~ COUNS"L
ANDY M, CUSTER
~;' ""=,,,'-
- ~, -
" 1'.EST;r~1/'
. ')"
-':!!:i> ~'_:. ':~
,~
~
NAPLES OFFICE:
1570 SHAOOWLAWN ORIVE
NAPLES. FLORIDA 34104
TeLePHONE (941)793-3331
REPLY TO:
MIAMI BEACH OFFICE
. BOARD CEImFIEO CIVR. TRIAL LAWYER
"ALSO ADMITTED IN New v~t<
June 25, 2001
VIA FACSIMfLE NO. (305) 289~6336
Monroe County Emergency Service
440 631.1 Street Ocean Suite 175
o Marathon, Flot.i.da '33050
RE:
Patient:
Balance:
Scott James Haskell.]r.
$486.10
Dear Billing Dept.:
As you are aware. our firm r('.prc<:;(.~nts Mr. Haskell with respect to the serious injuries he sustained in a motor
vehicle a\,;cic.lcnt on August 12, 1999.
Because Mr. 'Har.;kcll's economic dam.agcs far surpass that of the covc.r.agc afforded Mr. Haskell througb the
tonfeasor's .insurance policy. Mr. Haskell cnntinues to suffer great financial hardship, and has authorized us tn
attempt to negotiate your balance. billing amount. together with his oth(:r medical providers.
o
Please allow this letter to serve as our request for your offkt: [0 waive or negotiate the, remaining balance owed
fOJ medical services providcd to Mr. Haskell as a result of this accident. Our initial proposal is m offer forty
(40"~,) of the total balance billing of each medical p.tOvider involved Acco:rdi.ngly. please indicate bdow
whether your officc will accept $194.44 as a reduction of the balance due and owing. ill order provide for an
eq:uitable distribution of the insurance policy. Tikewise, we too have already agreed to substantially reducc our
underlying attorney's fees ill order to provid.t.~ for an equitable distribution.
Please contact me at your earliest convenience regarding your position on. thi" matter. or ill the alternative, fax
this letter back to my office with your dcc.ision outlined below. Mr. Haskcll and our firnl thank you in advance
for you'r cons-Ideration and professionalism with regard to the foregoing.
~
DA VID A. HAG N
....
********************************************************************************************
o WAIVER OF REMAlNING BALANCE
o ACCEPTANCE OF REDUCTION for a total due and owing of $J94.44
o NO ACCEPTANCE; HOWEVER, WE WIll REDUCE OUR. BALANCE TO $
SIGNED 6t APPROVED BY:
DATED THIS
DAY OF
,200J.
4
31316 Avenue""t1'.>
Big Pine K~Y; FL 33043 .
June 14, ~001 .
(
Attention: Fire Chief
~
..
l
My husband, George Thoman, was in 3 hospitals last year. We only have one insurance and
all of the other bills we got they took the insurance as total payment. We live off a retirement
pension' and my husband, because of his heart condition, cannot work. I am writing you to
request you take a right off of $35. Our insurance company paid you $839.94 for 17 miles of
transportation on 4/03/00. Our account # is 504086-01. Thank you for your time and I hope you
can absorb this $35.
~i cerely, //
{, yV~~~"
oan Thoman
c__
~.
.,.
'I I
DATE ,6/07 /01
-
ACCOUNT
NUMBER
504086-01
AMOUNT PAID $
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE IN U,S, DOLLARS TO:
GEORGE THOMAN
31316 AVENUE .J
BIG PINE ~EY, FL 33043
~ONROE COUNTY EMS
PO BOX 026011
MIAMI, FL 33102-6011
TO INSURE PROPER CREDIT TO YOUR ACCOUNT - PLEASE DETACH AND RETURN THIS STUB WITH YOUR CHECK
PATIENT NAME:
PHONE NUMBER:
REFERRING DR,:
GEORGE THOMAN
305-872-9004
PLACE OF SERVICE:
FH
DATE
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE
CHARGES
PAYMENTS
4/03/00 FIRE RESCUE TRANSPORT
MILEAGE CHARGE 17.0 @ $ 7.14
TOTAL SUPPL. FEES
352.61
121.38
400. 95
839. 94
WE FILEJ YOUR INSURANCE CLAIM. BUT HAVE RECEIVED NO )AYMENT
OR ONLY THE. PARTIAL PAYMENT INUICAIED,ABOYE.
THE BAL~NCE SHOWN IS DUE AND PAYABLE BY YOU. THANK /OU
PROTECT YOUR VALUABLE CREDIT STATUS.
IF YOU -lAVE INSURANCE.. PLEASE CI-\LL US. DO NOT SEND C -'ISH.
51 USTE) TIENE SEGURO, POR FAVOR DE LLAMARNOS.
PAY
THIS
AMOUNT
35.00
PRINT YOUR MEDICARE NUMBER HERE
MEDICAID #
PRINT YOUR HOME PHONE NUMBER HERE
BUSINESS PHONE #
IF YOU HAVE INSURANCE OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY PROGRAM WHICH WILL PAY FOR
THESE SERVICES, PLEASE COMPLETE AND SIGN THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS Bill AND
RETURN IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
IF THERE IS ANY PROBLEM REGARDING THE PAYMENT OF THIS BILL CONTACT OUR
OFFICE AT ( 1-800-41 ;'-2165 ) WITHIN 5 DAYS TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS,
PLEASE SHOW ACCOUNT NUMBER ON ALL CHECKS,
ACCOUNT I 504086-01 I
NUMBER
IMPORTANT YOU MUST SIGN REVERSE SIDE TO RECEIVE INSURANCE PAYMENT