By Nancy McCleary
The Sanford Herald
LEE COUNTY, N.C. — The CEO of MedEx Medical Transport made a case Monday with the Lee County Board of Commissioners why it should be awarded the franchise to provide emergency medical services in Lee County.
Dylan Lowe argued the case to clear up “misconceptions” about the Ahoskie-based transport service’s ability to provide quality services on the same level as FirstHealth of the Carolinas, the current franchise provider.
| HOT TOPIC: EMS shutdown survival: What leaders need to know now
“MedEx is the most capable, the most complete, the most effective and the largest ambulance provider in the state,” he said. “I want to submit that there’s no other provider that’s capable to provide services at such a high level as us.”
FirstHealth made its presentation at a meeting of the commissioners earlier this month. The current contract expires in 2026.
A MedEx representative was at the same meeting with the intent of making a presentation, but he questioned the process of the initial meetings with the Emergency Services Advisory Committee during the process.
Jeff White said the process was extended and lacked “a little bit of structure and inconsistency in how the applications were evaluated.”
The process raised concerns about transparency, he said.
Lowe asked to appear before the commissioners on Monday to address “misconceptions.”
MedEx uses a state-of-the-art communications system, has resources available within 30 minutes, is the medical contractor for FEMA and is contracted to assist across the state in the event of a natural disaster such as floods, tornadoes and hurricanes, he said.
MedEx services are covered through Medicaid, Medicare and other insurance coverage plans.
Lowe presented two options that were made specifically for Lee County based on needs and solutions.
The first option meets the criteria set out in the request for bid proposals which are having five Advanced Life Support units stationed at designated locations in the county, Lowe said.
The second option is called a “modern EMS system,” and includes the “strengths” of the first option and the use of the MedEx non-emergency fleet.
MedEx offered to set up a second location for an operational base in an area that will benefit hard-to-reach communities.
Advanced software with artificial intelligence capabilities will be utilized and a second base office will be established to serve on non-emergency transports, he said.
“The good thing about this is not only does it give Lee County more resources, but it’s cheaper,” Lowe said. “There are solutions to what’s the current problem with these remote areas that have more than 20-minute response times currently.”
The proposed cost for the first option is $1.5 million for the base year with a 5% increase on an annual basis.
For option two, the proposal is $1.3 million for the base with a 5% increase on an annual basis.
If MedEx is awarded the franchise, Lowe said it would be committed to current employees, a service match, a seamless transition and using new trucks.
MedEx offers a lower cost than FirstHealth, Lowe said.
“On average, there’s a 23% lower charge than the incumbent. This is important because any invoice to a Lee County resident after insurance is paid in every single case will be lower with MedEx.
The commissioners will award the franchise at its next meeting in November.
© 2025 The Sanford Herald (Sanford, N.C.).
Visit www.sanfordherald.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
