sympathomedic

     No one should be out of a job. Simple math is that the number of calls has not gone down, just the number of companies  answering those calls has gone down; by ONE.
     The staff will  need to shift to other providers that are expanding into the Transcare void. Sadly though, many will lose  vacation pay, salary, seniority, schedule and partners. ALL of which is very sad. A forced job change is always traumatic.
    Company names no longer in the picture:
Abbey-Richmond, A1, AA, Approved, Ambassador, Empire, Care 1, Park, Admiral, Metropolitan, Metro-North. Hudson Valley, Transcare, National... any others? Still lots of open jobs and hiring despite all those companies going away.
 

As your preceptor, I want all my time back!

All of the 35 medic trucks are wired up with heaters in the back.

All of the 35 medic trucks are wired up with heaters in the back.

All of the 35 medic trucks are wired up with heaters in the back.

Hey Mark:
I didn't know before now how Empress got the contract- no idea it was by a default. I had assumed it was a lost bid. before my time.
If I recall correctly, when Empress lost it the last time, it was becasue of a $50,000 difference in bid price. Not sure if that was $50,000 per year, or spread over the 3 year length of the contract.
Your post begs the question WHY did Affiliated do that- rotate guys out, put medics in ambulletts and other seemingly silly things? I mean, why annoy your staff to the point that they leave and you lose the contract??!! When they left Affiliated, where did they find jobs?
Also, did Abbey actually lay off, or did guys just leave on their own?
In the order of a history lesson, I believe it was under Transcare that the contract fundementaly changed. Originally it was set up that NR paid the provider a set amount; I think I once heard $1.3 million, in exchange for 1 ALS unit 24X7 and a second one for 16 or 18 hours a day. Again, not sure if that was per year, or over 3 years. The providor gave the City PCR copies ( no HIPPA bac then) and the City billed. Some years they broke even, most years they lost a few thousand, once ot twice there was a small profit for the city. NR basicly bought wholesale ambulance service, and sold it to their callers for retail.
Then Transcare went to a zero-bid deal. They billed directly. That was when Pelham jumped off of being a NR add-on and contracted with Empress for service. As I recall, NR had been getting paid by Pelham $90,000 for use of the NR contracted ambulance when NR was paying for it. When it went to zero bid, NR still wanted to charge Pelham for a service that was costing NR nothing. Pelham didn't like that and so they made their own deal with Empress.
Mark, I defer to yourself and Barry who may have better information and memory than I. ( I am sure Barry THINKS he does anyhow!).

Stat, I asked the same question. We all bill the same folks: Medicare, medicaid, automobile, workers comp and private insurance. They all pay the same rates per call, no matter who is doing the call or how much they charge. You can bill $2000, but insurance will pay what they pay, "Usual and customary" I believe is the phrase.
So if Emp and TC are both doing a lot of calls (I think they are) and they are both getting paid the same amount per call (again I think they are), then why is one flourishing and the other not? A guy I spoke to who seemed to have banking industry info told me that TC has an bad billing operation. True? Who knows? It would explain things. But if that is the case, why not hire a billing consultant and say "FIX THIS!" Ego? bad management? Good companies fail every day.
My heart goes out to all the folks working for Transcare. They are good people I am sure. Having this kind of instability affects a lot of things- vacations, car purchases, new home purchases and other long term planning. Like EMS folks really need another stressor in their lives!?
Good luck to all of them. I hope for the best for you.
Bill

Stat, I asked the same question. We all bill the same folks: Medicare, medicaid, automobile, workers comp and private insurance. They all pay the same rates per call, no matter who is doing the call or how much they charge. You can bill $2000, but insurance will pay what they pay, "Usual and customary" I believe is the phrase.
So if Emp and TC are both doing a lot of calls (I think they are) and they are both getting paid the same amount per call (again I think they are), then why is one flourishing and the other not? A guy I spoke to who seemed to have banking industry info told me that TC has an bad billing operation. True? Who knows? It would explain things. But if that is the case, why not hire a billing consultant and say "FIX THIS!" Ego? bad management? Good companies fail every day.
My heart goes out to all the folks working for Transcare. They are good people I am sure. Having this kind of instability affects a lot of things- vacations, car purchases, new home purchases and other long term planning. Like EMS folks really need another stressor in their lives!?
Good luck to all of them. I hope for the best for you.
Bill

I am going to add my semi UN-qualified 2 cents. I have been an Empress medic for 28 years, and I am the VP of our Union, IAEP Local 20.
As for stability mentioned by LTNRFD (Mark, shouldn't you add "ret" after that name?):
When Empress lost the NR contract about 20 years or so ago, only ONE medic and ONE EMT changed over to the new vendor. Everyone else stayed, no one got laid off.
When Empress lost the WMC contract about 10 years or so ago, NO ONE left, and no one was laid off. It was a MUCH smaller contract then, only 3 providers 24X7. We got it back 3 years ago. Now it is 6 spots, 24X7 plus a lot of Txp's.
When Empress lost the MV contract a while back, NO ONE went to the new vendor, no one got laid off.
When Empress was displaced from the Harrison EMS flycar when Harrison started to be their own ALS rather than contracting, NO ONE switched over, no one got laid off.
There was a lay off about 20 years ago, which involved about 12 EMT's. ALL of which were re-called in less than 8 weeks, and in line with our contract. This was in relation to a company strategy to avoid serving clients that were far away and time consuming. I guess it worked.
I was speaking with a friend who began as a medic, like me, in 1988. He has been with TC from the beginning. I don't think Transcare existed in Westchester that early, so he may have come over from Abby.
He makes about $7/hr less than I do. I also get a $4000 annual longevity bonus. So about $18,000 annual difference.
What I did NOT ask is: what is his medical plan cost and coverage, how many paid days off does he get, and is there a retirement or 401K. My 401 K is well up in the 6 digits, 99% of which is Empress money from unused sick and vacation time. So it cost me almost nothing to accumulate that.
I guess my point is that there some stability. Never a medic laid off in company Hx. 1 episode of EMT layoffs and all quickly recalled with seniority as contract stipulates. Decent pay and benefits, but ya gotta work hard and put in your time.
One more thing, after age 50 (that's me this year!) and 25 years on the job (that's me already!) you can work 20 hrs a week and keep your benefits.

I am going to add my semi UN-qualified 2 cents. I have been an Empress medic for 28 years, and I am the VP of our Union, IAEP Local 20.
As for stability mentioned by LTNRFD (Mark, shouldn't you add "ret" after that name?):
When Empress lost the NR contract about 20 years or so ago, only ONE medic and ONE EMT changed over to the new vendor. Everyone else stayed, no one got laid off.
When Empress lost the WMC contract about 10 years or so ago, NO ONE left, and no one was laid off. It was a MUCH smaller contract then, only 3 providers 24X7. We got it back 3 years ago. Now it is 6 spots, 24X7 plus a lot of Txp's.
When Empress lost the MV contract a while back, NO ONE went to the new vendor, no one got laid off.
When Empress was displaced from the Harrison EMS flycar when Harrison started to be their own ALS rather than contracting, NO ONE switched over, no one got laid off.
There was a lay off about 20 years ago, which involved about 12 EMT's. ALL of which were re-called in less than 8 weeks, and in line with our contract. This was in relation to a company strategy to avoid serving clients that were far away and time consuming. I guess it worked.
I was speaking with a friend who began as a medic, like me, in 1988. He has been with TC from the beginning. I don't think Transcare existed in Westchester that early, so he may have come over from Abby.
He makes about $7/hr less than I do. I also get a $4000 annual longevity bonus. So about $18,000 annual difference.
What I did NOT ask is: what is his medical plan cost and coverage, how many paid days off does he get, and is there a retirement or 401K. My 401 K is well up in the 6 digits, 99% of which is Empress money from unused sick and vacation time. So it cost me almost nothing to accumulate that.
I guess my point is that there some stability. Never a medic laid off in company Hx. 1 episode of EMT layoffs and all quickly recalled with seniority as contract stipulates. Decent pay and benefits, but ya gotta work hard and put in your time.
One more thing, after age 50 (that's me this year!) and 25 years on the job (that's me already!) you can work 20 hrs a week and keep your benefits.

I am going to add my semi UN-qualified 2 cents. I have been an Empress medic for 28 years, and I am the VP of our Union, IAEP Local 20.
As for stability mentioned by LTNRFD (Mark, shouldn't you add "ret" after that name?):
When Empress lost the NR contract about 20 years or so ago, only ONE medic and ONE EMT changed over to the new vendor. Everyone else stayed, no one got laid off.
When Empress lost the WMC contract about 10 years or so ago, NO ONE left, and no one was laid off. It was a MUCH smaller contract then, only 3 providers 24X7. We got it back 3 years ago. Now it is 6 spots, 24X7 plus a lot of Txp's.
When Empress lost the MV contract a while back, NO ONE went to the new vendor, no one got laid off.
When Empress was displaced from the Harrison EMS flycar when Harrison started to be their own ALS rather than contracting, NO ONE switched over, no one got laid off.
There was a lay off about 20 years ago, which involved about 12 EMT's. ALL of which were re-called in less than 8 weeks, and in line with our contract. This was in relation to a company strategy to avoid serving clients that were far away and time consuming. I guess it worked.
I was speaking with a friend who began as a medic, like me, in 1988. He has been with TC from the beginning. I don't think Transcare existed in Westchester that early, so he may have come over from Abby.
He makes about $7/hr less than I do. I also get a $4000 annual longevity bonus. So about $18,000 annual difference.
What I did NOT ask is: what is his medical plan cost and coverage, how many paid days off does he get, and is there a retirement or 401K. My 401 K is well up in the 6 digits, 99% of which is Empress money from unused sick and vacation time. So it cost me almost nothing to accumulate that.
I guess my point is that there some stability. Never a medic laid off in company Hx. 1 episode of EMT layoffs and all quickly recalled with seniority as contract stipulates. Decent pay and benefits, but ya gotta work hard and put in your time.
One more thing, after age 50 (that's me this year!) and 25 years on the job (that's me already!) you can work 20 hrs a week and keep your benefits.

Stat, I asked the same question. We all bill the same folks: Medicare, medicaid, automobile, workers comp and private insurance. They all pay the same rates per call, no matter who is doing the call or how much they charge. You can bill $2000, but insurance will pay what they pay, "Usual and customary" I believe is the phrase.
So if Emp and TC are both doing a lot of calls (I think they are) and they are both getting paid the same amount per call (again I think they are), then why is one flourishing and the other not? A guy I spoke to who seemed to have banking industry info told me that TC has an bad billing operation. True? Who knows? It would explain things. But if that is the case, why not hire a billing consultant and say "FIX THIS!" Ego? bad management? Good companies fail every day.
My heart goes out to all the folks working for Transcare. They are good people I am sure. Having this kind of instability affects a lot of things- vacations, car purchases, new home purchases and other long term planning. Like EMS folks really need another stressor in their lives!?
Good luck to all of them. I hope for the best for you.
Bill

I am going to add my semi UN-qualified 2 cents. I have been an Empress medic for 28 years, and I am the VP of our Union, IAEP Local 20.
As for stability mentioned by LTNRFD (Mark, shouldn't you add "ret" after that name?):
When Empress lost the NR contract about 20 years or so ago, only ONE medic and ONE EMT changed over to the new vendor. Everyone else stayed, no one got laid off.
When Empress lost the WMC contract about 10 years or so ago, NO ONE left, and no one was laid off. It was a MUCH smaller contract then, only 3 providers 24X7. We got it back 3 years ago. Now it is 6 spots, 24X7 plus a lot of Txp's.
When Empress lost the MV contract a while back, NO ONE went to the new vendor, no one got laid off.
When Empress was displaced from the Harrison EMS flycar when Harrison started to be their own ALS rather than contracting, NO ONE switched over, no one got laid off.
There was a lay off about 20 years ago, which involved about 12 EMT's. ALL of which were re-called in less than 8 weeks, and in line with our contract. This was in relation to a company strategy to avoid serving clients that were far away and time consuming. I guess it worked.
I was speaking with a friend who began as a medic, like me, in 1988. He has been with TC from the beginning. I don't think Transcare existed in Westchester that early, so he may have come over from Abby.
He makes about $7/hr less than I do. I also get a $4000 annual longevity bonus. So about $18,000 annual difference.
What I did NOT ask is: what is his medical plan cost and coverage, how many paid days off does he get, and is there a retirement or 401K. My 401 K is well up in the 6 digits, 99% of which is Empress money from unused sick and vacation time. So it cost me almost nothing to accumulate that.
I guess my point is that there some stability. Never a medic laid off in company Hx. 1 episode of EMT layoffs and all quickly recalled with seniority as contract stipulates. Decent pay and benefits, but ya gotta work hard and put in your time.
One more thing, after age 50 (that's me this year!) and 25 years on the job (that's me already!) you can work 20 hrs a week and keep your benefits.

I am going to add my semi UN-qualified 2 cents. I have been an Empress medic for 28 years, and I am the VP of our Union, IAEP Local 20.
As for stability mentioned by LTNRFD (Mark, shouldn't you add "ret" after that name?):
When Empress lost the NR contract about 20 years or so ago, only ONE medic and ONE EMT changed over to the new vendor. Everyone else stayed, no one got laid off.
When Empress lost the WMC contract about 10 years or so ago, NO ONE left, and no one was laid off. It was a MUCH smaller contract then, only 3 providers 24X7. We got it back 3 years ago. Now it is 6 spots, 24X7 plus a lot of Txp's.
When Empress lost the MV contract a while back, NO ONE went to the new vendor, no one got laid off.
When Empress was displaced from the Harrison EMS flycar when Harrison started to be their own ALS rather than contracting, NO ONE switched over, no one got laid off.
There was a lay off about 20 years ago, which involved about 12 EMT's. ALL of which were re-called in less than 8 weeks, and in line with our contract. This was in relation to a company strategy to avoid serving clients that were far away and time consuming. I guess it worked.
I was speaking with a friend who began as a medic, like me, in 1988. He has been with TC from the beginning. I don't think Transcare existed in Westchester that early, so he may have come over from Abby.
He makes about $7/hr less than I do. I also get a $4000 annual longevity bonus. So about $18,000 annual difference.
What I did NOT ask is: what is his medical plan cost and coverage, how many paid days off does he get, and is there a retirement or 401K. My 401 K is well up in the 6 digits, 99% of which is Empress money from unused sick and vacation time. So it cost me almost nothing to accumulate that.
I guess my point is that there some stability. Never a medic laid off in company Hx. 1 episode of EMT layoffs and all quickly recalled with seniority as contract stipulates. Decent pay and benefits, but ya gotta work hard and put in your time.
One more thing, after age 50 (that's me this year!) and 25 years on the job (that's me already!) you can work 20 hrs a week and keep your benefits.

I am going to add my semi UN-qualified 2 cents. I have been an Empress medic for 28 years, and I am the VP of our Union, IAEP Local 20.
As for stability mentioned by LTNRFD (Mark, shouldn't you add "ret" after that name?):
When Empress lost the NR contract about 20 years or so ago, only ONE medic and ONE EMT changed over to the new vendor. Everyone else stayed, no one got laid off.
When Empress lost the WMC contract about 10 years or so ago, NO ONE left, and no one was laid off. It was a MUCH smaller contract then, only 3 providers 24X7. We got it back 3 years ago. Now it is 6 spots, 24X7 plus a lot of Txp's.
When Empress lost the MV contract a while back, NO ONE went to the new vendor, no one got laid off.
When Empress was displaced from the Harrison EMS flycar when Harrison started to be their own ALS rather than contracting, NO ONE switched over, no one got laid off.
There was a lay off about 20 years ago, which involved about 12 EMT's. ALL of which were re-called in less than 8 weeks, and in line with our contract. This was in relation to a company strategy to avoid serving clients that were far away and time consuming. I guess it worked.
I was speaking with a friend who began as a medic, like me, in 1988. He has been with TC from the beginning. I don't think Transcare existed in Westchester that early, so he may have come over from Abby.
He makes about $7/hr less than I do. I also get a $4000 annual longevity bonus. So about $18,000 annual difference.
What I did NOT ask is: what is his medical plan cost and coverage, how many paid days off does he get, and is there a retirement or 401K. My 401 K is well up in the 6 digits, 99% of which is Empress money from unused sick and vacation time. So it cost me almost nothing to accumulate that.
I guess my point is that there some stability. Never a medic laid off in company Hx. 1 episode of EMT layoffs and all quickly recalled with seniority as contract stipulates. Decent pay and benefits, but ya gotta work hard and put in your time.
One more thing, after age 50 (that's me this year!) and 25 years on the job (that's me already!) you can work 20 hrs a week and keep your benefits.

Hey Willis:
Can you make a video (with sound) and get it linked to the Empressems.com site?

If I may add in another scenario:
Someone has an MVA and DOES NOT ask for EMS and is NOT unconsciuous. Someone does call 911 and report it and and ambulance arrives. An involved person says, to the effect, "I have an abrasion on my arm from the airbag, but I am OK", or "My knee hurts from hitting the dash board but I think I am OK." I would say this common type of event makes these folks patients.
On the other hand, same collision scenario- no one asked for EMS but an ambulance gets sent due to caller info and the then all involved deny any complaint. I don't think those folks are patients. If you are not sick or hurt I don't feel you area patient. I bet the DOH has some info on this commonly discussed issue, but I am far too lazy to research it and post a link. And it may vary state by state. And State policy may allow for agency protocol.

If I may add in another scenario:
Someone has an MVA and DOES NOT ask for EMS and is NOT unconsciuous. Someone does call 911 and report it and and ambulance arrives. An involved person says, to the effect, "I have an abrasion on my arm from the airbag, but I am OK", or "My knee hurts from hitting the dash board but I think I am OK." I would say this common type of event makes these folks patients.
On the other hand, same collision scenario- no one asked for EMS but an ambulance gets sent due to caller info and the then all involved deny any complaint. I don't think those folks are patients. If you are not sick or hurt I don't feel you area patient. I bet the DOH has some info on this commonly discussed issue, but I am far too lazy to research it and post a link. And it may vary state by state. And State policy may allow for agency protocol.

If I may add in another scenario:
Someone has an MVA and DOES NOT ask for EMS and is NOT unconsciuous. Someone does call 911 and report it and and ambulance arrives. An involved person says, to the effect, "I have an abrasion on my arm from the airbag, but I am OK", or "My knee hurts from hitting the dash board but I think I am OK." I would say this common type of event makes these folks patients.
On the other hand, same collision scenario- no one asked for EMS but an ambulance gets sent due to caller info and the then all involved deny any complaint. I don't think those folks are patients. If you are not sick or hurt I don't feel you area patient. I bet the DOH has some info on this commonly discussed issue, but I am far too lazy to research it and post a link. And it may vary state by state. And State policy may allow for agency protocol.

Interesting development. I would be very surprised if this was an oversight by Monte. It must have been done on purpose, but I wonder why. Monte in the Bronx is not a trauma center, so it would not be to funnel lower Westchester trauma to that ER.
Anyone have any REAL factual insight as to what is behind this decision?

When I posted stuff guys on my job didn't like, they c/o to the boss, who very politly showed my the social media policy. I didn't know we had one. If I am careful, I can still post. I just don't want to hurt risk hurting the sensitive feelings of these brave men, and force them to approach the boss instead of me. Again.

When I posted stuff guys on my job didn't like, they c/o to the boss, who very politly showed my the social media policy. I didn't know we had one. If I am careful, I can still post. I just don't want to hurt risk hurting the sensitive feelings of these brave men, and force them to approach the boss instead of me. Again.

When I posted stuff guys on my job didn't like, they c/o to the boss, who very politly showed my the social media policy. I didn't know we had one. If I am careful, I can still post. I just don't want to hurt risk hurting the sensitive feelings of these brave men, and force them to approach the boss instead of me. Again.

When I posted stuff guys on my job didn't like, they c/o to the boss, who very politly showed my the social media policy. I didn't know we had one. If I am careful, I can still post. I just don't want to hurt risk hurting the sensitive feelings of these brave men, and force them to approach the boss instead of me. Again.

When I posted stuff guys on my job didn't like, they c/o to the boss, who very politly showed my the social media policy. I didn't know we had one. If I am careful, I can still post. I just don't want to hurt risk hurting the sensitive feelings of these brave men, and force them to approach the boss instead of me. Again.