EMS Shady Practices allegations in US

[coalface]

The embattled chief of STAT MedEvac resigned last week, one month after officials at the air ambulance service said they were investigating his business practices.

The work of James F. Bothwell will remain under investigation, John Chamberlin, a STAT MedEvac spokesman, said Monday.


The above extract is from a Pittsburg newspaper from a couple of years ago. One of the allegations was that he was giving "commission" payments to emergency services who called out his EMS helicopters in preference to others which might have been closer to the patient/casualty.

Is this sort of practice common in the US and does anyone know what happened to the individual in question?

[sanddancer]

You know, that name is familiar.....I wonder.... surely not...... who'd have thought it!

[SASless]

In 2000 he was nominated for a high level industry award for bringing about his EMS service.

Here is an article that suggests there might have been problems in the assigning of flights after the system went to a single call method.

The temptation to favor one's own fleet would be very tempting.

Boy's death stirs up chopper fight (http://www.post-gazette.com/healthscience/20011202trauma1202p3.asp)

[Phil77]

The case is how old?
I'm sure there are still major issues in HEMS in the states, but you asked if this alerting practice is common!? Maybe it's the exception that proves the rule, but I doubt it:
I was told that here in eastern Pennsylvania/northern New Jersey the first and second responders are clearly negotiated between the operators. Only if the helicopter responsible for a certain area is on a call or grounded another company will cover.

I stand to be corrected.

[B Sousa]

Lots of money involved in this game, so it should not be a big Surprise. It goes throughout the medical field. Pill; pushers, suppliers etc, all are selling a product. Look at surgery. Twenty years ago Carpal Tunnell Syndrome was popular, tons of money made. Now its Stomach bypass. Lots of money to be made on the human body. More so after you croak, you think the morticians dont sell off parts?? Whos gonna know if the person is headed for the oven.

[tottigol]

Wining, dining and providing free cruises for certain "rural" hospital and medical centers medical Directors and CEOs is a very popular activity for at least one large "community based" part 135 operator of day VFR, single engine Bell products.:E
"Bat Phones" are also increasingly popular in several ED administrative offices, sometimes there are two or more and their colors are usually Blue and Red and/or Black and Yellow.
Been there, seen it done including (and they can lie about it until they are blue in the face ) departing from a zero zero fogged in location while a competing (IFR capable twin) aircraft was circling overhead because of weather conditions.:*

[helimutt]

Is that the same Jim Bothwell at CHC now?