Oklahoma Ambulance company drops lawsuits

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- The Emergency Medical Services Authority has dismissed lawsuits against two area residents who were paying a utility fee for ambulance service. Attorneys for EMSA cited "clerical error" in a motion to vacate a lawsuit against one woman and another lawsuit was dismissed against a couple, the Tulsa World reported in Sunday's editions. EMSA sued Robin Streveler last year and won a $1,230 default judgment for an ambulance ride she needed two years ago after passing out at work. Streveler, an assistant fast-food restaurant manager in Jenks, said when she received notice of the suit from Works & Lentz, a law firm under contract with EMSA, she didn't know what it was for. "When Works & Lentz sent me a thing that I was being sued, I thought it was like a hospital bill because it didn't say EMSA ... and then they just started garnishing my paycheck," said Streveler, 53. She said she agreed to pay Works & Lentz $50 a month, but had to suspend the payments after taking off work to care for her ailing mother in Florida. Representatives for the law firm didn't return requests for comment. In the past, attorney Harry Lentz has said that if anyone from whom the law firm is attempting to collect a payment has "water bill coverage," the firm must stop collection efforts until EMSA determines whether or not the patient was covered. The firm and EMSA have been named in a lawsuit that claims EMSA's billing practices are fraudulent. EMSA officials instituted a clause requiring patients to provide insurance information within 60 days or they become responsible for the entire bill. The clause is not authorized under Tulsa's city ordinance and was not approved by EMSA's board. Streveler said she wasn't aware how the utility fee program worked or that it was supposed to cover out-of-pocket costs for ambulance service. Streveler received a letter last week with a $375 check from Works & Lentz. The letter says EMSA investigated her claim and "it was determined that you were in fact entitled to coverage under the water bill program." Records show EMSA also requested dismissal of a lawsuit against Christopher and Monica Simmons that was filed Feb. 1. Published: Tue, Mar 13, 2012