Dawson County Ends Ambulance Service Contract

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Dawson County is terminating its contract with AMB, the county’s ambulance service provider, due to poor performance.

Dawson County Emergency Services Director Lanier Swafford cited multiple problems with AMB during his presentation at Thursday’s County Commission work session.

The county contracted with NRG in 2014 and the company merged with AMB in 2015. Since then the collection rate has plummeted to 39 per cent, services and fees have declined, the company failed to turn in documentation that resulted in Medicaid being suspended, statements have not been sent out on time, reports have been incorrect and customer service is lacking.

“After 24 months, enough is enough,” Swafford told commissioners. He expects to have the new provider in place by Sept. 1.

When the previous ambulance service, EMS Consultants, had the contract in 2013, collections totaled $528,374.45. In 2014. the first year with NRG, collections fell to $440,300.84. In 2015 there was a slight rebound to $498,464.33. Although ambulance service revenue has been projected at $990,000 in the budget, the company has collected just $152,465.76 in the first quarter of this year.

After receiving bids from six vendors, a 5-person committee reviewed the bid and recommended the county contract with the the most responsive and responsible bidder, previous vendor EMS Consultants.