CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION: 01-624 AGENDA: DECEMBER 17, 2001 SUBJECT: AMBULANCE RATES TYPE: RESOLUTION ORDINANCE RECEIVE/FILE SUBMITTED BY: RON WAKEHAM FIRE CHIEF

ITEM ____ OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER CITY OF DES MOINES, IOWA SYNOPSIS - To increase the ambulance transport charge from $350 to $400 effective February 1, 2002. This increase is necessitated by the cost of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, which previous to January 1, 2002 were exchanged or replaced by area hospitals at no charge to the City of Des Moines. FISCAL IMPACT - The proposed increase in rates would generate approximately $87,000 in additional gross revenue annually. RECOMMENDATION - To authorize the City Manager to increase the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) fee structure as outlined below effective February 1, 2002.   Current Proposed Basic Life Support 350.00 400.00 Advanced Life Support 350.00 400.00 BACKGROUND - Currently, the City has seven paramedic squads and two paramedic pumpers in service and responds to approximately 12,500 medic calls annually. In the past, area hospitals would bill the patient for items used while in transit and replace the pharmaceuticals and medical supplies used by Des Moines Fire medics. Recently, the area hospitals converted to a "level of care" flat charge for emergency room services, thereby eliminating the existing supply exchange practice. As a result of this change to a flat fee charge, effective January 1, 2002, area hospitals will no longer exchange or replace medical items used in the transport of a patient. Because of this change in procedures, the Fire Department will be responsible for the cost of stocking and maintaining an inventory of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in the fire stations. The anticipated cost of maintaining an inventory of supplies in-house is $30,000 annually with an estimated start-up cost of $23,000. The requested increase in fees will be utilized to offset this unavoidable expense.