RVNU EMS generates found money for ambulance companies by recovering insurance underpayments.
We faced a burning question—how do EMS providers spend found money?
To answer that question, on Friday, July 22, RVNU EMS posted a LinkedIn poll:
“Imagine a generous donor walks into your office with a $100K check. ‘Buy anything you'd like for your EMS ops.’ How would you spend it?”
Overwhelmingly, 71% of 123 respondents voted that they would use the Found Money to “increase employee wages.”
One commenter shared the perspective that his organization is “Primarily [a] volunteer agency with solid funding for equipment, a pretty reliable fleet, and a comfortable station. Recruitment, training, culture, and retention are where I'd sink that money. Just because they're not paid doesn't mean we can't or shouldn't invest in them.”
With a twist, Walt West, a Firefighter Paramedic from the West Coast, commented that “Honestly, I would ask the employees what they want. They are the ones that do all the work and make the company successful. Wages are easy to say, but if you gave them the choice between wages and driving a bus with 300K miles on it and no AC, they may chose the ambulance. Leadership is about taking care of your people. It’s not about making all the decisions.”
Then, 25% of respondents would prefer to make a capital purchase with the check, other than a new ambulance.
Colin Brooks, a clinical education director in Spring Hill, Florida, noted that it’s “Interesting that no one chose ambulance so far, but even though it was my first thought, I knew 100K would barely cover the cost. Alot of other stuff make more of an impact. New lightweight Phillips monitor, new slide or carry sheets, new stair chairs, smaller and focused response bags instead of the ridiculous luggage we carry into every call. Improved internet in truck service. And finally a splurge event like day at Disney or on the lake/beach/resort etc would do much more for moral then 1 lucky crew getting a new box.”
Colin continued his comment with the suggestion that “Unfortunately, still see ignorance that wages makes a difference in employee retention. Never has- never will.”
Next, only 3% would buy a new ambulance, if gifted $100K.
And a single respondent proffered that they would “refuse [the] money [because there are] no free lunches.”
Still another commenter suggested that the poll’s answer options were incomplete, stating that his answer to the poll question was “None of the above. If your agency is a non-profit or other eligible entity and you're currently holding your head above water, invest that money and let it grow and fund future initiatives.”
Robbie MacCue, cofounder of EMS Leadership Academy, offered a novel perspective: “I would invest it in an advocacy effort to inform our elected officials and the public about the challenges we as an industry face.”
We appreciate our colleagues who responded to the poll and provided commentary.
Ultimately, it is very clear that insurance companies must be held to account. Our mission is to ensure that EMS’ hard-earned money flows to where it belongs.
Founded in New York in 2021, RVNU EMS leverages deep industry expertise and proprietary processes to create a brand new income stream for clients. A combination of incisive analytics, tenacious follow-up, and nuanced understanding of the legal levers empowers RVNU EMS to generate alpha that sets its clients apart from their peers.
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