Preston County ambulance agency suspends operations amid insurance issues

Bruceton Community Ambulance Service in Preston County, West Virginia, has temporarily suspended operations as the agency works to transition to a new insurance carrier.

The ambulance service's board of directors announced the suspension Tuesday, Oct. 27, stating the insurance transition "has taken longer than expected." Officials said there is no expected date for resuming service but that they are "working diligently to resolve the issue quickly."

"We sincerely thank our community for its patience, understanding, and continued support," the board said in its announcement.

Second suspension this month

The insurance-related suspension marks the second time this month that Bruceton Community Ambulance Service has ceased operations. The agency suspended service for 10 days earlier in October due to a lack of funds before receiving $15,000 in emergency funding from the Preston County Commission.

Brian Larew, EMS Ordinance Administrator for Preston County, said the agency was placed back into suspension for "noncompliance with requirements established by the West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services."

"The repeated interruptions in service raise serious concerns regarding operational oversight and the agency's ability to maintain compliance with state requirements," Larew said. He emphasized that responsibility for compliance rests with the ambulance service's leadership, not the county commission.

Coverage gap

During Bruceton's earlier suspension, Terra Alta Community Ambulance provided temporary coverage for the service area. The county reimbursed Terra Alta $8,158.31 for payroll and fuel expenses incurred during that coverage period.

The Preston County Commission has distributed $41,691.27 to local ambulance agencies this month to address immediate operational needs and maintain emergency medical coverage.

Residents should continue calling 911 in the event of an emergency. Other ambulance services in the county remain operational.

The EMS challenges in Preston County reflect broader struggles facing ambulance services statewide, with agencies grappling with staffing shortages, increasing operational costs, and inadequate reimbursement.