Candi and Mike Hayes, owners of Crossroads Ambulance Service, drive an ambulance during the Sheriff’s Rodeo Parade this spring. Crossroads has operated for the past two years. | Brent Maze

Crossroads EMS, which is the ambulance provider for Hartselle and Falkville, is planning to shut down operations today.

Candi Hayes, owner of Crossroads EMS, said the reason why they have decided to shut down is due to lack of payment from insurance companies and government health agencies.

“We haven’t received timely payment from the insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid,” Hayes said in a phone interview Wednesday. “The number that Medicare and Medicaid owes us in six figures. The most we’ve recently received from them is $3,000. It’s tough to operate a small business when you only receive that much.”

Crossroads became the ambulance provider for Hartselle and Falkville in May 2013 after questions arose about the financial stability of County EMS in January 2013.

Hartselle Mayor Don Hall said he was informed about the move Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.  He said Crossroads had agreed to delay its shutdown until at least noon today.

However, Hayes said they will continue to operate until Hartselle and Falkville work out a plan to handle medical calls within the city limits.

Hall said Morgan County 911 will dispatch the closest ambulance out of Decatur to the call.

“(Fire Chief Steve) Shelton and (Falkville Fire Chief Chris) Free are trying to come up with a plan for the long-term future,” Hall said.

Hayes thanked all of her employees and the community for their support over the last two years that Crossroads has been in business.

“I really hate it for our employees,” Hayes said. “That’s been the toughest part of this is that we’re having to let our employees go. It’s a sad day for all of us.”

Hayes said they and other medical services have been severely affected by the non-payment since the government shutdown in October 2013.

“You almost have to have really deep pockets to run an ambulance service or any kind of medical service with the way Obamacare is right now,” Hayes said. “It’s almost impossible to operate a small business when you don’t receive timely payments.”

Randy Garrison contributed to this report.