(a) Definitions:
(1) Basic Life Support (BLS) Emergency When medically necessary, the provision of Basic Life Support services, as defined in the National EMS Education and Practice Blueprint for the EMT Basic, including the establishment of a peripheral intravenous line. An emergency response is one that, at the time the ambulance supplier is called, is provided after the sudden onset of a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms
of sufficient severity such that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to result in placing the beneficiary's health in serious jeopardy; in impairment to bodily functions; or in serious dysfunction to any bodily organ or part.
(2) Advanced Life Support, Level I (ALS1) Emergency When medically necessary, an assessment by an advanced life support provider and/or the provision of one or more ALS interventions, in the context of an emergency response. An advanced life support provider is defined as a provider trained to the level of the EMT Intermediate or Paramedic as defined in the National EMS Education and Practice Blueprint. An ALS intervention is defined as a procedure beyond the scope of an EMT Basic.
(3) Advanced Life Support, Level 2 (ALS2) When medically necessary, the administration of three or more different medications or the provision of at least one of the following ALS procedures:
Manual defibrillation/cardioversion
Endotracheal intubation
Central venous line
Cardiac pacing
Chest decompression
Surgical airway
Intraosseous line
(4) Non transport on scene treatment When, in response to a request for service, medical treatment is rendered to a patient. Treatment can include the provision of BLS services, and the administration of medication, but transportation to a medical facility is declined by the patient. This does not include responses to uninvolved third party calls for service ("good intent calls") not originated by the patient or a family member of the patient, when no medical treatment is rendered. Further, this does not include occasional requests for mobility assistance services.
(5) Indigency as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines in place at the time of the service.
(6) Loaded mile shall mean the number of miles the patient is transported in the ambulance unit.
(7) Resident: shall mean a person residing within the City of Kent, with an Ohio Driver's License or state identification card showing a Kent address, and/or voter registration with a Kent address, or such other proof of residency as is acceptable to the Fire Chief or his designee.
(b) Fees for emergency ambulance service shall be made as follows:
Fee | |
(1) Basic Life Support Emergency | $550 |
(2) Advanced Life Support (ALS 1) Emergency | $650 |
(3) Advanced Life Support (ALS 2) Emergency | $700 |
(4) Cost per loaded mile for emergency transportation to an emergency medical facility | $12.00 |
(5) On scene treatment without transportation when the service is requested by the patient or immediate family of the patient, and is not requested by a "good intent" call | $125.00 |
(6) The City of Kent recognizes that residents of the City provide some payment for the City's emergency medical services through the collection of municipal taxes. Therefore, the City will charge resident Medicare/Medicaid patients only to the extent of their Medicare and/or other health care coverage (this provision waives deductibles or co pays after all third party payers have made payment towards a residents account).
(7) In instances in which a resident patient is unable to pay, the fee will be waived after any insurance benefits are credited, and the appropriate poverty guidelines are met.
(c) Each individual receiving emergency ambulance service shall be billed for the service separately. The Department of Finance shall handle all billing, except when otherwise provided by separate contract and ordinance.
(d) There shall be no charge for a family member who is permitted to accompany a patient. The Fire Chief or his or her designee shall determine who may or may not accompany the person receiving emergency ambulance service.
(e) The emergency ambulance service shall respond only to an emergency call.
(f) All funds collected for ambulance service shall be deposited to the credit of the General Fund.
(g) In cases of services rendered by a mutual aid agency, the billing will be regulated by Medicare and Medicaid billing guidelines and will be administered by the transporting agency.
(h) There will be no billing for services for any response that result in the treatment or transport of on duty City of Kent employees.
(Ord. 2015-96. Passed 6-17-15.)