(Source: MIRS.news, Published 08/29/2024) Somebody owes Michigan EMS providers $6 million in unpaid health care services they've provided Michigan prisons, and they're asking lawmakers to help.

As the Department of Corrections and their former health care provider, Wellpath, point fingers at each other, the ambulance companies say the standoff is making it hard for them to make payroll and continue operations.

“Michigan EMS providers are asking the Legislature to reimburse us for our work so that it does not impact the care we provide to our local communities,” said Jeff White, chief of Richmond Lenox EMS. “At a time when EMS remains underfunded nationwide, this is a hit we simply cannot afford.” 

Sen. Sue Shink (D-Ann Arbor), chair of the Senate Corrections Appropriations Subcommittee, called it a “serious situation” and told MIRS that “we are looking into it.”

Wellpath, the former health care contractor for the Michigan Department of Corrections, owes more than $6 million to EMS agencies throughout Michigan, according to the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services (MAAS).

Wellpath’s contract with the state ended in April 2024, leaving at least 15 EMS providers across Michigan unpaid for its services. The company recently told EMS agencies that it is unable to pay the claims, leaving them to absorb millions of dollars in unreimbursed costs. Wellpath is placing blame on the Michigan Department of Corrections, claiming administrators there did not disclose that Wellpath would be responsible for paying emergency responders.

Rep. Jaime Greene (R-Richmond) issued a press release Wednesday calling on the $6 million to be put into the next budget supplemental to help the ambulance companies. In the meantime, she wants the Attorney General and the Auditor General to investigate Wellpath and the Department of Corrections.

“This is absolutely outrageous,” Greene said. "Our EMS providers put their lives on the line every day to ensure that all patients, including those incarcerated in our prisons, receive the emergency care they need. Now, they’re being told they won’t be paid for the services they provided. It’s time for the Legislature to step in and right this wrong.”

Jenni Riehle, public information officer for the DOC, confirmed that MDOC is aware of the EMS providers’ request.

“I can also confirm that several subcontractors are owed payments,” she said, referring additional questions about former healthcare provider Wellpath’s outstanding debts to Wellpath. “The department has yet to determine exactly how much is currently owed.”

Messages to Wellpath, formerly known as Correct Care Solutions, have so far not been responded to. 

MDOC has since replaced Wellpath with VitalCore.

MAAS said Wellpath informed EMS agencies of its inability to pay the $6 million, leading EMS agencies to ask state legislators to foot the bill for “this injustice.”

Under Michigan law, EMS agencies are required to respond to 9-1-1 requests including calls to Michigan’s prisons.

Michigan is home to 29,253 EMS providers, 798 life support agencies and 3,998 licensed life support vehicles, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Division of EMS and Trauma within the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, EMS and Systems of Care.