Our business strategy focuses on strengthening our core businesses by building upon economies of scale, while providing the most proficient levels of ambulance transportation, fire protection and related services possible for the customers and patients we serve.

 

Expand Within Existing Service Areas
We believe we can maximize our return on the infrastructure we have built in our existing operating areas by continuing to expand our services in our existing operating and contiguous areas. A key component of our growth strategy is in areas where we are the 911 emergency transport provider to leverage our stature as the community's 911 emergency transport provider in order to compete for and win non-emergency transportation business within the community and surrounding areas. This strategy increases utilization of ambulances through a balanced growth of emergency and non-emergency ambulance services. Our strategy also enables us to gain operational efficiencies and effectively manage our costs and assets by leveraging our fleet, communications system and management within existing service areas.

Selectively Enter New Markets
We continue to pursue contracts and alliances with municipalities, other government entities, hospital-based providers and fire districts in select new markets. Among the criteria we set for entering a new market are whether we can provide both 911 emergency and non-emergency medical transportation services, the area's geographic proximity to existing regional operations, payer mix, medical transportation demands, competitive profiles and demographic trends. We believe that our leading market position, reputation for quality service, strong brand recognition and willingness and ability to provide innovative solutions permit us to effectively compete for new business.

Enhance Billing and Collection Results
We continue to develop and implement initiatives to improve our billing and collections results by focusing on the quality of the data gathering and entry of emergency and non-emergency medical transport records to assure compliance with medical necessity standards set by third-party payers. We also place a high priority on submitting medical transportation claims electronically in order to expedite payment and maximize the efficiencies afforded by such systems. We will continue to focus on maximizing cash collections by enhancing billing practices, implementing or negotiating rate increases to meet the escalating costs of delivering high-quality services and seeking subsidies to offset the cost of providing service to uninsured patients.

Improve Workplace Safety and Reduce Insurance Costs
We have consistently placed workplace health and safety among our highest priorities due, in part, to escalating insurance costs. As a result, our management, risk management, and quality assurance staffs aggressively focus our risk management programs on loss prevention and early intervention. We believe in creating a culture among our workforce that encourages and demonstrates a committed approach to workplace health and safety.