Question: Who pays for EMS when they respond to a 911 call? Is the patient/recipient billed for services, even if they are not the caller and if such services are refused?
Answer: “The patient/ recipient is only billed if they are transported in an EMS ambulance,” said Janice Okubo, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Health, which oversees Emergency Medical Services.
The billing decision centers on treatment received, not on who called the ambulance.
According to information provided earlier this year by EMS, DOH oversees and funds Emergency Medical Services, contracting with different service providers in each county. On Oahu, DOH contracts with the City and County of Honolulu to provide the service.
When someone calls 911 reporting a medical emergency, an ambulance will be dispatched. A patient who is treated and transported by an EMS ambulance will receive a bill, which may be covered by insurance, depending on the patient’s insurance coverage.
Taxpayers absorb the cost of transporting patients whose bills go unpaid because they lack insurance coverage, personal resources or both.
Q: The repaving through Aina Haina is really bad. What’s going on?
A: The state Department of Transportation is aware of “pavement modulations” in resurfaced eastbound lanes of Kalanianaole Highway from H-1 to West Hind Drive and says it is making sure the contractor corrects them. The department says it also will ensure the contractor does a smoother job from the get-go on the westbound lanes.
Anyone with concerns or comments about the Kalanianaole Highway Resurfacing project can contact the department’s public affairs office at 587-2160 or via email at DOTPAO@hawaii.gov.
Q: The free shredding events always seem to be in town. What about us in the country?
A: If you live on the North Shore, there’s an upcoming shredding event/food drive combination that might work for you. It’s scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 28 at the Haleiwa Jodo Mission, 66-279-A Haleiwa Road.
Shred-It will provide free, secure disposal of personal documents, limited to two boxes per car. Participants are encouraged to donate nonperishable food or money, which will help the North Shore Food Bank and Hawaii Foodbank.
Q: With the extra Saturday hours, is the city giving road tests?
A: No. Although the city has added summer Saturday hours at four driver licensing centers, no driver testing (road or written) will be offered then. Only driver’s license renewals and duplicates and state ID services will be available, according to the city.
The Kapalama, Kapolei, Koolau and Wahiawa driver licensing centers are to be open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon through Aug. 25, with this exception: Koolau will be closed Saturday for previously scheduled maintenance. For an appointment, visit license.honolulu.gov. Walk-ins also are welcome.
Auwe
Slobs ‘R’ Us. Auwe to the litterbugs who leave their rubbish on the ground at Kapiolani Park and its environs, as well as at other parks. City employees are good at picking up trash bags from barrels, but there are not enough of them to pick up rubbish from the ground. So we need to help by placing our trash in barrels or taking the rubbish with us. Come on, people! — Ed from Kapahulu
Mahalo
Mahalo to the angel who has been picking up trash along the mauka side of Moanalua Freeway (H-201) between the Puuloa Road and the Salt Lake offramps. I saw him around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. I usually exit at the Salt Lake offramp, so might not see his good deeds on other stretches of the highway. At the same time, auwe to those who toss trash from their vehicles. — A reader
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
