As a medical billing service specializing in ambulance billing, we have substantial qualifications that enable us to meet your expectations as an effective EMS billing agent.  First and foremost, two of our current owners and managers, Karen Ripma and Katie Rahill co-managed a regional billing center and two satellite offices with 55 employees for a national private ambulance company.  They were responsible for the billing and collection of charges associated with 20,000 EMS, wheelchair van, and sedan transports on a monthly basis, which generated an average of 2.5 million dollars in cash receipts monthly.  They built relationships with Medicare and Medicaid carriers in the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Indiana, dealing specifically with EMS billing requirements, compliance issues, and appropriate appeals processes.  They managed special contract arrangements with over 100 payers, nursing homes and hospitals in these states as well, including a statewide contract with Aetna’s managed care plans and a large contract with the Cincinnati VA.  From 1994 – 1998, they were responsible for the integration of three purchased ambulance companies and two existing company A/R systems into Rural/Metro’s proprietary system.  They oversaw many Medicare and Medicaid audits, and trained over 2,500 EMS personnel on payer documentation requirements for EMS claim payment.  They participated in annual conferences held by the Ohio Ambulance Association, and the American Ambulance Association, as well as employer sponsored management-training programs held quarterly. 

Since the incorporation of Great Lakes Billing Associates in January of 1999, the company has secured over thirty contracts with township, municipal and county EMS services in the state of Ohio. Managing partners Karen Ripma and Katie Rahill recognized a significant need for effective EMS billing services for the 911 sector, and have been able to successfully incorporate years of experience in the private sector into effective billing services for Great Lakes’ client base.  In 2004, Great Lakes will collect over $6.5 million on behalf of its client base.  These funds will be used by providers to upgrade equipment, purchase new vehicles, hire and retain employees and in some cases, have been earmarked for building new stations.  Great Lakes has significantly improved collections for nine of its clients that needed rate adjustments to maximize their reimbursement potential.   These providers began their EMS billing programs with a different billing agency, or were doing billing in-house.  In one such instance, Great lakes sought and achieved an Equity Adjustment from Medicare that doubled this particular provider’s BLS base rate reimbursement.  Great Lakes Billing has achieved slow but steady growth over the past 5 years, with an emphasis on maintaining the proper level of staffing and training required to appropriately service its clients.