Lifeline workers' insurance dropped Although stopped in July, no alert was given until last week

Calvin R. Trice

Sep. 3, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- A group of Goochland County's paid emergency-service workers worked last month without knowing they didn't have health insurance.

Last month, the head of the company Goochland contracted to pay emergency responders appeared before the Board of Supervisors to explain why the firm had bounced payroll checks in July.

As Lifeline Ambulance Service head Jim Jones was addressing the county's paycheck concerns, a benefit problem was brewing.

Four Lifeline workers insured through the company received letters from Southern Health Services last week informing them that their coverage had been terminated as of July 31, Ken Brown, chief of Goochland County Volunteer Fire-Rescue, told the Board of Supervisors yesterday.

The other four full-time workers are insured elsewhere, Brown said later.

Goochland's Lifeline workers registered 80 calls or patient contacts in August.

"I was lucky I was able to get on my husband's insurance, but some of my co-workers were not as lucky," said Heather Proffitt, one of the paid emergency responders who found that Southern Health was no longer covering her.

The certificate that Southern Health sent to Lifeline workers doesn't give a reason for the termination. Eddie Ferguson, the department's deputy chief of EMS, said the county has not reached Lifeline to discuss the matter.

Lifeline employees reached by phone at the company's headquarters said that Jones was out of state helping with hurricane relief. He could not be reached yesterday.

At last month's meeting, Jones told supervisors that a computer glitch had occurred when Medicare changed its reimbursement system this year and dropped the company from its rolls, accidentally eliminating more than half of the company's revenues.

At yesterday's regular board meeting, Brown also told the board that Lifeline employees had since received smaller paychecks than normal.

Supervisors added the issue to the closed-door portion of yesterday's meeting, during which governing boards are authorized to discuss contract matters.

Chairman William Quarles said during a break that there was little Goochland could do while the company is under contract but that the board was exploring its options.

"The reality is they're his employees," Quarles said. "We're looking at how we can make this situation better, but what can the county do about them dropping their insurance?"

Goochland's contract with Lifeline has been in effect since 2004. Lifeline is contracted to pay salaries and benefits for up to 10 full-time workers and to pay for their uniforms. It is up for renewal April 9.

Contact staff writer Calvin R. Trice at (540) 932-3674 or ctrice@timesdispatch.com.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0177-27849563