Kinross EMS warns of shutdown amid unpaid services from Wellpath and Vital Corps

In a critical government meeting on March 13, 2025, Michigan's Appropriations - Corrections and Judiciary committee confronted a pressing issue: the financial crisis facing emergency medical services (EMS) across the state. The discussion highlighted the alarming trend of unpaid reimbursements from Wellpath, a third-party vendor responsible for processing payments for EMS services rendered to the Michigan Department of Corrections.

Representatives from various EMS agencies voiced their frustrations, revealing that Wellpath had ceased payments approximately two years ago, leaving many services in dire financial straits. "We made multiple requests to Wellpath to please reimburse us for the services we had provided," stated one representative, emphasizing the lack of communication and support from the vendor. The situation has forced agencies to make drastic cuts, including reducing staff and delaying essential purchases, such as ambulances.

Renee from Kinross EMS shared her agency's struggles, stating they had incurred significant debt just to maintain operations. "We are now down to 10 days of operating costs," she explained, underscoring the urgency of the situation. The representatives collectively called for immediate action from the state to address the outstanding payments, which total over $600,000 across multiple agencies.

The meeting also touched on the broader implications of these financial challenges, including the potential for service disruptions in rural areas. With some EMS agencies on the brink of closure, the committee acknowledged the critical need for a solution to ensure that emergency services remain available to all Michigan residents.

As the meeting concluded, the urgency of the situation was clear: without prompt intervention and a resolution to the payment issues, the state's EMS infrastructure could face severe consequences, jeopardizing public safety across Michigan.