Virginia Beach EMS talks shortages, floats ‘compassionate billing’ as solution [Video]

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Beach City Council members heard they have a shortfall of at least 10 ambulances and dozens of providers in their emergency medical response system during their informal session on Tuesday.

Virginia Beach EMS Chief Jason Stroud said challenges include staffing shortages, burnout, lack of communication, and lack of sustainable funding and volunteers. That’s according to the findings of a study by the McChrystal Group.

Among the proposals to fix the problem is what’s called “compassionate billing,” of which Stroud provided a high-level view during the meeting. “Compassionate billing” involves billing insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid for emergency medical transport services, but aiming to decrease out-of-pocket costs to the patients – especially those who are city residents – as much as possible. 

“Absolutely nobody gets turned over to collections,” Stroud added.

Stroud said a conservative estimate of the potential revenue …