County reviews medical contracts for conflicts

WORLAND — In addressing a point in question from Cody Regional Health, the Washakie County Commissioners reviewed both the agreements with Cody Regional Health for a ground ambulance and the membership agreement for air medical evacuation with Guardian Flight.

At the regular commissioner meeting on Dec. 21, Chairman Fred Frandson said they received a point in question from Cody Regional Hospital (CRH) that they had an understanding that Guardian Flight/AirMedCare was bringing in a ground ambulance to transfer patients from the hospital to their base station.

“Reaching out to who I could, none of them had any idea that was in the works or talks,” Frandson said, noting that the CRH understanding was just a rumor at this point.

Guardian Flight/AirMedCare Program Director Matt Strauss said in an interview Monday, “We have no set plans at this time.”

The question, however, had him review, along with County Attorney John Worrall, the membership contract with AirMedCare and the contract for ground ambulance service with CRH.

Frandson said he did not see any conflict of interest in the county with both agreements.

“What it boils down to is what’s best for the residents,” Frandson said.

He said the agreement with CRH does not preclude anyone else from coming in and offering a ground ambulance service.

Commissioner Aaron Anderson said if Guardian/AirMedCare did bring in a ground ambulance the county would not have anything to do with it since it has a contract with CRH.

Worrall said the AirMedCare membership agreement provides air ambulance services to every county resident.

“There is no limitations on anything else they can do other than provide a very specific service to all county residents and that’s it. We can’t tell them what to do,” he said.

Regarding the agreement with Cody Regional Health, he said, it states that Cody Regional Health is an independent contractor. It also states, that “there is no requirement that either party make referrals to, be in a position to make or influence referrals to or otherwise generate business for the other party as a condition of this agreement.”

Frandson added, “It was brought to our attention, that’s public so we had to address it that way. We are not in negotiations because these are existing contracts.”

The agreement for AirMedCare Network is for a total of $111,002.85 to cover three years that ends March 31, 2023.

The contract with CRH is also for three years from May 1, 2021, to June 30, 2024, for $16,500 per month.

In related news, Frandson shared correspondence with the other commissioners from a Worland couple expressing their appreciation for the air ambulance membership. In the letter Dave and Ja Harley wrote, “Guardian Flight undoubtedly was a major factor in me being here today. The policy that the county has with Guardian has proven to lower the financial burden on us.”

Strauss in his interview also reiterated that due to the membership in Washakie County there is no out-of-pocket expenses for Washakie County residents when air lifted where the company has assets.

“If they get a bill they should call the number on the bill and it gets rectified pretty quickly,” Strauss said.