(A) The following schedule of charges is hereby established for each occurrence and usage of the Emergency Unit or ambulance service:
(1) Mileage $16 per loaded mile
(2) ALS-1 Non-emergency $800
(3) ALS-1 Emergency $1,100
(4) ALS-2 Emergency $1,300
(5) Specialty Care Transport $1,800
(6) BLS Non-emergency $600
(7) BLS Emergency BLS $750
(B) The Council recognizes that from time to time changes in federal law allows periodic increases in mileage recovery costs. This increase is caused in part by escalating costs of fuel. The mileage reimbursement charge set forth hereinabove shall automatically, without further action by this Council, increase when federal regulations call for increased mileage reimbursement allowances.
(C) The Board of Public Works and Safety of the city may contract with a third party to provide billing services for the ambulance service, commonly referred to as the Emergency Unit of the city.
(D) As set forth hereinabove, 20% of all payments received pursuant to the schedule set forth above shall be paid into the Clerk Treasurer’s Office for deposit into the non-reverting ambulance fund. The remaining 80% of said monies received from said reimbursement shall be deposited into the city’s general fund. The first aid ambulance service, or Emergency Unit, may accept assignment of insurance carrier payments, including Medicare and Medicaid, for ambulance services for full and partial payment of the aforesaid charges. However, the acceptance of any such charges shall not relieve the user of the ultimate responsibility for the payment of the total amount of fees owed. Provided the payments made to the ambulance service by Medicaid and Medicare authorities shall be subject to all existing rules, regulations, and limitations of the federal and state law and the city shall not require any payment not authorized pursuant to such law.
(E) When the ambulance service is used by a bona fide resident of Henry County or the city, such resident shall be billed only to the extent of the applicable insurance coverage, including federal and/or state healthcare programs. Any deductible or co-pay amount shall be waived for such bona fide residents of Henry County and the city.
(F) When the ambulance service is used by an employee of a tax- paying business located in Henry County or the city, who needs the ambulance service while working on the tax-paying business premises in the city or Henry County, such employee shall be billed only to the extent of applicable insurance coverage, including federal and/or state healthcare programs. Any deductible or co-pay amount shall be waived for such employee.
(G) The ambulance service receives revenue from the city property and/or local income taxes and such revenue shall be treated as payment for any otherwise applicable co-pay or deductible amount due from such bona fide resident or such employee.
(H) All revenues received by the city to reimburse costs incurred in transferring patients from one healthcare facility to another should be utilized to supplement costs associated with an ambulance and staff engaged in the transfer of patients. It is the intent of this division to provide funding for a third ambulance to be used in part for transfers of patients.
(Ord. 3416, passed 1-5-05; Am. Ord. 3539, passed 5-19-08; Am. Ord. 3594, passed 3-15-10; Am. Ord. 3712, passed 1-12-14)
Cross-reference: