Last Week of Acadian Membership Drive 2004

Contact: W. Keith Simon, VP PR & Marketing, 1-800-259-3333

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, August 27, 2004

As of noon Friday, 32,000 families or individuals had enrolled in the Acadian Ambulance Service membership drive. Chairman and CEO Richard Zuschlag said the campaign is exactly on track with last year’s successful drive. “We are very optimistic about meeting our goal of 45,000 memberships by the close of the campaign at midnight on Friday, September 3rd,” he said.
“This is our 34th membership campaign,” Zuschlag said, “and it is gratifying that so many of those enrolling this year have been members since our company was organized in 1971.”

For many years, the membership program covered more than 150,000 families. Because of changes in the program that were necessary to comply with insurance regulations, the campaign now focuses on the people who need and use the service, such as the elderly and those who need convalescent care as well as protection in emergency medical situations. According to Zuschlag, 65 percent of the current members are 62 years of age or older and have Medicare coverage.

A last minute media campaign is expected to bring in the 13,000 memberships still needed to reach this year’s goal, which will mean $2.5 million in revenue for the company.

The membership fee has increased slightly this year, according to Zuschlag, to meet rising medical costs and other operational expenses. It is the first increase in seven years. Family memberships have increased from $60 to $65, while memberships for individuals who have Medicare supplemental insurance have increased from $48 to $52.

“Those who enroll recognize the substantial value of a membership,” Zuschlag said. “Medicare recipients are relieved of co-insurance and deductible costs for medically approved transports, while people with private insurance or no insurance coverage receive a 20 percent discount on cost of services rendered.”
Zuschlag said each campaign has shown that many people consider enrollment a good community investment. “They recognize that the membership helps to make it possible for us to provide the highest quality care possible,” he said. “Also, many have indicated that the community services supported by the membership inspired them to sign up. There is widespread appreciation of the fact that we continue to stand by without charge at high school and college athletic events, fairs, festivals and other large gatherings. We will be present at between 120 and 150 high school and college football games each week this season in case an emergency occurs. Our cost for this community service, with heavy expenses for such things as employee overtime pay, is very high. It would be difficult to continue if the revenue from membership fees did not underwrite it.”

A large number of people, Zuschlag said, join to take advantage of the opportunity to include vital information in the database of the Acadian Ambulance communications center. Members submit information such as comprehensive directions to their residence, details on existing medical conditions of all members of the household, name of family doctor and other important data. When a call comes in from a member, a special computer program makes that information immediately available to the dispatcher.
Those who do not enroll by midnight Friday, Sept. 3 will be ineligible until next year. The $65 family membership fee covers the applicant, spouse and children who reside in the household up to the age of 21 (through the age of 23 for full-time students) who have never been married.

Enrolling has been made easier this year. Residents of the service area may simply dial 511 and sign up with a major credit card. The number used in previous campaign, 1.800.256.JOIN, is also active for those who wish to enroll by phone. Membership enrollment is also available online at www.acadian.com.

Persons having questions may call Acadian’s Members Service Center toll-free at 1-800-256-JOIN (5646).

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