WILLEMSTAD – The Fundashon Kuido di Ambulans Kòrsou (FKAK), the ambulance service, had more than 1.3 million guilders in outstanding receivables from private individuals at the end of 2024, with the board estimating the chances of collecting this amount as “very low.” This is stated in the foundation’s audited 2024 annual financial statements.
The outstanding amounts relate to ambulance transports for patients who are not insured, including tourists and individuals without legal residency status. From a social and medical standpoint, FKAK is obligated to transport these patients to the hospital regardless of their insurance situation. In practice, however, settling the resulting bills often proves difficult or impossible.
Out of a total accounts receivable balance of just over 3.4 million guilders, approximately 1.3 million guilders fall under the category of “private individuals, own account.” Due to the high uncertainty surrounding collection, FKAK has recorded a provision for uncollectible debts of more than one million guilders. This indicates that a substantial portion of the outstanding invoices is expected to remain unpaid.
The remaining receivables consist mainly of claims on health insurers and smaller outstanding items, but the greatest financial risk lies with uninsured patients. FKAK notes that it has no discretion to refuse transport when emergency care is required.
The issue is also reflected in the operating results. Revenues from emergency and other ambulance transports include amounts that have been invoiced but are unlikely to be received. The significant addition to the provision for doubtful debts, more than half a million guilders in 2024, has a direct negative impact on the annual result.
The recurring nature of these uncollectible ambulance bills raises broader questions about the financing of emergency medical transport on Curaçao. As long as FKAK is required to provide services to everyone in need while being unable to recover a portion of the costs, the resulting shortfall is effectively absorbed through government contributions and the foundation’s reserves.
The 2024 financial statements make clear that this is not an isolated incident, but a structural financial burden for the ambulance service.