EMSA Of Tulsa Asks Judge To Throw Out Billing Lawsuit

EMSA is asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed over their billing practices. The case is over bills sent to patients who claim they don't owe any money.

When EMSA gets a call - treating the patient comes before the paperwork. The ambulance service says it's sometimes difficult to determine whether someone has insurance to cover the cost.

03/08/2012 Related Story: Tulsa City Council Examines EMSA's Billing Practices

How EMSA handles billing and collections is under scrutiny by Tulsa's city government, and in the courts where 5 people are suing, claiming EMSA improperly billed them when they really didn't owe anything.

"Facts don't support the claims they're making. Four of the 5 individuals have never paid EMSA any money and one of the required elements of any claim would be damages," said Kris Koepsel, EMSA Attorney.

EMSA's attorney claims the lawsuit ought to be dismissed - and certainly doesn't rise to the level of a "class action" - which has been requested by the plaintiffs.

"We don't believe the claims are substantiated in any way, let alone purporting to represent a class of people that it's been alleged this is widespread, at least in media accounts so far, and there's not a widespread problem," Koepsel said.

Before the city council, EMSA CEO Steve Williamson defended their billing and collections practices. But EMSA also plans a new effort to better communicate what - and who is covered by the fee on utility bills.

The attorney representing the plaintiffs did not respond to our request for an interview about the case. It's up to a judge to decide whether or not the case will go forward and a date has not been set for the decision.