A St. Joseph's Ambulance Service vehicle is shown responding to an accident in March 2024. (File photo)

PARKERSBURG – St. Joseph’s Ambulance Service will cease operations at the end of the month.

In a press release issued this afternoon, St. Joseph’s Ambulance President Dwane Weekley cited Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements not keeping pace with the company’s costs for providing service as the driving force in the decision.

“With Medicare rates serving as the baseline for Medicaid as well as private insurance, this information confirmed what principals at SJAS have believed to be the case for the past few years and sustaining operations in a safe and proper manner is not possible at this time,” Weekley said in the release.

The decision was made “after several months of consideration and discussions,” the release said, with a goal being to ensure the Wood County Commission had enough time to ensure proper EMS coverage for residents.

Costs the company faces include personnel, liability coverage, fuel and mandatory medication and equipment, the release said. It also noted uncollected billing has been growing for several years, with contracted transport exceeding $500,000 a year.

As a for-profit company, St. Joseph’s is ineligible for state or federal grants, the release said.

“SJAS didn’t receive CARES Act funding, federal grants for COVID response or any other funds that are generally reserved for the nonprofit ambulance providers,” Weekley said.

Other factors beyond the financial included challenges related to sourcing qualified personnel, who require state licensure, clean driving records and the ability to pass a Medicare background check, the release said.

The company employs 83 full- and part-time staff members, Weekley said.

Read more in Tuesday’s edition of the Parkersburg News and Sentinel.