Residents call for change in MONOC billing practices

BRICK –– A spirited debate between residents and representatives from MONOC culminated with the impromptu passage of a Township Council resolution urging state lawmakers to cap the cost of emergency care services last week.

Eatontown-based MONOC, or the Monmouth Ocean Hospital Service Corporation, acts as a backup ambulance provider in many area towns, including Brick. Some residents said the nonprofit organization charged them exorbitant amounts for little more than short rides to the hospital.

After complaining of chest pains, Wall Township EMS responded to the Chambers Bridge Road home of Maureen Glover to take her to Ocean Medical Center, Jack Martin Boulevard. During the ride, the ambulance was pulled over by MONOC, she said, which assumed the duties of escorting her to the hospital.

For the ride, she was billed $300 by Wall EMS and another $1,589 by MONOC. Her insurance company refused to pay for the bill and so did Glover, and MONOC sued her, she said.

The costs of ambulance services have become dangerous, she said, because people now risk driving themselves rather than face the financial sacrifice of calling 911.

Sharing a similar story was Chambers Bridge Road resident Mary Ellen Patterson, who was billed $1,215 for a ride to the hospital. She said she’ll likely fight the matter in court.

Margaret Keavney, general counsel for MONOC, said she was unfamiliar with the women’s billing situations but would investigate. She said, "There’s a lot of misinformation going around," regarding MONOC’s billing methods and what amounts insurance providers will cover.

Many tend to underestimate the costs of providing emergency services, according to MONOC spokesman John DeFillippo. It’s not rare to use $1,100 worth of drugs on a single patient during an ambulance ride to a hospital, he said.

"It’s not a cheap service to provide. And let me tell you, I sleep a lot better knowing that they’re out there," he said.

Four services like MONOC are more expensive in New Jersey, said DeFillippo. He said he wouldn’t object to a state-imposed cap in principle, provided MONOC would still make enough money to support itself.

The council unanimously supported a resolution in favor of a cap, which will be sent to state officials in Brick’s district. Council President Kimberley Casten said any decisions on the matter must be made on a state level because Brick’s government has no powers to regulate MONOC bills.

"We can only lend our support, and try and move it along," Casten said.