St. Joseph’s Ambulance Service to Cease Operations Due to Financial Strain

St. Joseph’s Ambulance Service in Parkersburg has announced it will cease operations by the end of March 2025, primarily due to insufficient Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. The company, which has been operational since 2003, cited a federal study indicating that Medicare rates for ambulance services are about 50% below the actual costs of providing these services. This financial strain has forced the management to conclude that they can no longer operate sustainably.

Dwane Weekley, the president of St. Joseph's, emphasized that the decision was made after careful consideration and highlights the larger trend of struggling EMS providers in West Virginia. Officials from Wood County are now tasked with finding alternative emergency medical services for their residents as counties are mandated to ensure ambulance service availability.

The closure will affect around 83 employees and comes at a time when the demand for EMS services is critical. The company and local authorities are scrambling to develop a plan for maintaining coverage, with potential collaborations being discussed with Camden Clark Ambulance Service to address the emergency needs soon after the closure occurs.