Fla. City Writes Off $4 Million in Unpaid Ambulance Bills

Feb. 12--NORTH LAUDERDALE -- The city commission has agreed to wipe $4 million in debt off its books because of unpaid ambulance bills, but officials say the emergency medical service will not be adversely affected.

In a 12-year period -- from October 1998 through September 2010 -- North Lauderdale was only able to collect about half of the money that was due for ambulance rides to the hospital.

The losses happened each year because Medicare and Medicaid doesn't pay the city its full costs, patients die or refuse to pay. Only 3 percent of patients pay their bills, according to city documents.

The final loss: $4,035,728.

The ambulance system is supported with money from the general fund, said Mike Sargis, North Lauderdale's assistant city manager.

Writing off the debt will not hurt emergency transportation.

"Whether someone can afford to pay for the service or not, the fire department responds to every call regardless of the income of the person who dials 911," he said.

lhuriash@sunsentinel.com or 954-572-2008

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