HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3.D 12/05/2005iA
CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA
AGENDA BILL
December 5, 2005
WL�enda Title: Resolution Authorizing the Increase for Base Meeting Date: December 5, 2005
Ambulance Fees for Both Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic
Life Support (BLS) Ambulance Services.
Meeting Time: X 3:00 PM
Cateeory (check one): X Consent Calendar ❑ Public Hearing ❑ New Business
❑ Unfinished Business ❑ Presentation
Department: Director:
Fire Chris Albertson
Cost of Proposal: none
Contact Person: Phone Number:
is
'778'-'4365
Account Number: 5199
Amount Budgeted : Estimated Revenues for 2005-06 = Name of Fund:
$1,400,000:
Ambulance Enterprise Account
Attachments to Agenda Packet -Item: Copy of proposed Resolution:
*Summary Statement: The Fire Department operates the City's Ambulance Service, providing Advanced
Life Support (ALS) and Basic .LikS'upport (BLS) Services.. In September 2003, City Council approved a
revision/upgrade of ambulance fees. This revision was the first increase in ambulance fees in over ten
years. Now, more than two years "later, another minor revision is requested.
Effective January 2006, Medi -Care and Medi -Cal will cease their existing policy of paying ambulance
providers for "oxygen" as needed by patients and for `-`disposable supplies" used in the pre -hospital care of
patients. In an effort to offset 'this .potential loss. of revenue, the Fire Department is recommending a base
fee increase of $95 for all ALS and BLS incidents. to which. we :respond. This increase is the
recommendation of the contractor,, who, conducts the ambulance billing and collections for the Fire
Department and is consistent with current industry Aandards.
Recommended Citv Council . Action/Suggested Motion: City Council, approve the Resolution
authorizing the Fire Department to increase the base fees for both Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic
Life Support (BLS) by $95, effective January 1, 2006.
Reviewed by Finance Dire -tor.:
.�
Li19 Date: jij
Today's Date:
Reviev a nev:
Approved_bv Citv Manager:
Date:
Revision # and Date Revised: File Code:
J
CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA
DECEMBER 5, 2005
AGENDA REPORT
FOR
Resolution Authorizing the.Increase for Base Ambulance Fees for Both
Advanced Life Support ('ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) Ambulance Services.
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Fire, Department operates the City's Ambulance Service, providing
Advanced Life Support (ALS). and Basic Life Support(BLS) Services. In September 2003, City Council
approved a revision/upgrade of ambulance fees. This revision was the first increase in ambulance fees in
over ten years. Now, more than two years later, another minor revision is requested
2. BACKGROUND: The Petaluma Fire Department•has been providing paramedic ambulance service to the
community since 1982. Fees for service were revised in 2003 for the first time since 1993. Now, two
years later, the base service fees need to be adjusted again. The ambulance billing is provided under
contract by Wittman Enterprises, ,a professional EMS billing firm. The Wittman Company has informed
the Fire Department that effective"January 2006, Medi -Cal and: Medi -Care will cease their payments for
some disposable supplies and,for oxygen used by Paramedics as°part of the emergency, pre -hospital care
of patients. As an expert in EMS ,billing, the related state statutes, and the EMS regional marketplace,
Wittman Enterprises has made the recommendations related to base fees.
The maximum base fee currently charged to city residents for Advanced Life Support care is $800 and
$960 for non-residents. The ,maximum base fee currently charged to city residents for Basic Life
• Support care is $500 and. $600 for non-residents. Jt is the Fire Department's recommendation that all of
.these base fees be increased,by $95'. The,proposed,$95 increase is equal to. the fee currently charged for
oxygen that the state and federal -entities will no longer pay for after the first of the year.
3. ALTERNATIVES: Not. authorizing the increase in base fees for service will allow for an overall reduction
in revenue for the Ambulance Enterprise Account" when the state and federal entities cease payments for
certain services and supplies.
4. FINANCIAL IMPACTS: Approving the -Fire Department's recommendation will help offset the projected
loss of existing revenues and contribute "to the solvency of this important enterprise account.
5. RECOMMENDATION: The Fire Department requests.that the City Council pass the resolution that
authorizes .the increase in base- ambulance fees for both Advanced Life Support and Basic Life Support
ambulance services.
g:/forms/2003 agenda bill
SIM
A
Resolution Authorizing the Increase for Base Ambulance
Fees for Both Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic
Life Support (BLS) Ambulance Services.
WHEREAS, the Petaluma Fire Department operates the City's Ambulance
service, providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) services;
and,
WHEREAS; City Council has not revised basic ambulance fees since
September 2003; and,
WHEREAS, ;effective January 2006, Medi=.Care and -Medi -Cal will no longer
pay ambulance providers for some specific services currently uffered'by pre -hospital care
providers; and,
WHEREAS, the Ambulance Service is an enterprise fund, tasked with being
fiscally self sufficient; and,
•
i
WHEREAS, the ,proposed loss of federal and state payments will have a
negative impact on the Ambulance Fund's revenue.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the`Pet_aluma City Council
authorizes the base rate 'increase of fees, for ambulance, service of Ninety -Five Dollars
($95) for all Advanced Life; Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) responses.
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