Council
Communication

Office of the City Manager
 
 

Date

February 25, 2008

 

Agenda Item No.       55

Roll Call No.              08-

Communication No.  08-078

Submitted by: Allen McKinley, Finance Director

 

 

AGENDA HEADING:

 

Amending Fire Department Schedule of Fees to increase fees related to emergency medical services.

 

 

SYNOPSIS:

 

Recommend approval for increases in the City’s Emergency Medical Services schedule of fees.

 

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

 

Amount: $250,000

 

Funding Source:  2007-2008 Operating Budget under:

 

  • GE001 FIR041000

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

 

The last set of EMS fee increases was in December, 2002 which is just over five years ago.  Since that time, operating costs have increased in the areas of salaries, health insurance, pensions, fuel, and medical supplies; some well in excess of general inflation rates.  The increase in the rates should yield an additional $250,000 in revenue annually after taking into consideration maximum allowable reimbursements from Medicare/Medicaid. 

 

Department

BLS

ALS1

ALS2

ALS1/NoTransport

Oxygen

Mileage

Des Moines (current)

$500

$500

$500

$150

$30

$7.00

Des Moines (proposed)

$575

$575

$575

$150

$35

$8.00

 

  • Also proposed is an increase in the fee for extra staffing from $50 to $55.  This is a per person charge the City assesses when the patient’s condition requires more than one fire fighter to provide care during transport. When necessary, staff is taken from an engine or truck company to assist with patient care or, more often, drive the medic unit so that the other medic can assist with the patient.
  • New fee for ALS intercept service ($200). This is a situation when another EMS provider does not have ALS level capabilities and call a city ambulance to meet them either in or out of the city to attend to a critical patient in need of advanced interventions. Typically, city personnel takes their equipment and medications and get into the other ambulance to stabilize and treat the patient.

 

The below chart reflects the rates and charges of surrounding communities.  The term “n/a” should be read as not available and reflects the fact that the community did not respond and should not necessarily be implied that a particular fee is not charged.

 

Department

BLS

ALS1

ALS2

ALS1/NoTransport

Oxygen

Mileage

Des Moines (current)

$500

$500

$575

$150

$35

$8.00

Des Moines (proposed)

$575

$575

$575

$150

$35

$8.00

Altoona Fire

$500

$500

n/a

n/a

n/a

$9.50

Ankeny

$400

$500

$585

$150

n/a

$10.00

Clive

$567

$567

n/a

$229

$35

$10.00

Indianola

$395

$535

$620

$110

n/a

$10.00

Pleasant Hill

$525

$525

n/a

$525

n/a

$9.75

West Des Moines

$525

$550

$600

$150

$30

$10.00

 

 

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION(S):

 

Date:  December 18, 2002

 

Roll Call Number:  02-3007

Action:   02-3007 8. Adopting a Schedule of Fees for various City services, for the use of City property and equipment, and for various permits and licenses issued by the City, as follows: Moved by McPherson to adopt. Council Member Vlassis voted NO on Item K; Item "Q" is to be deferred to second meeting in January 2003. (1-27-03). Motion Carried 7-0.

Date:  January 28, 2002

 

Roll Call Number:  02-257

 

Action:   Amending Chapter 38 of the Municipal Code regarding City ambulance service fees. Moved by Coleman that this ordinance do now pass, #14,044. Motion Carried 6-1.

 

Date:  January 7, 2002

 

Roll Call Number:  02-094

 

Action:  Amending Chapter 38 of the Municipal Code regarding City ambulance service fees. Moved by Hensley that this ordinance be considered and given second vote for passage. Motion Carried 7-0.

 

Date:  December 17, 2001

 

Roll Call Number:  01-3704

 

Action:  Amending Chapter 38 of the Municipal Code regarding City ambulance service fees. (Council Communication No. 01-624). Moved by Brooks that this ordinance be considered and given first vote for passage. Motion Carried 7-0.

 

 

BOARD/COMMISSION ACTION(S): NONE

 

 

ANTICIPATED ACTIONS AND FUTURE COMMITMENTS:  NONE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attachment: 

 

 

 

Description of Service/Permit

Fee

Effective Date

EMS Section

 

 

 

 

38-26 (a) (1)

BLS Care

$500.00 $575.00

12/18/02 02/25/08

38-26 (a) (2)

ALS Care

$500.00 $575.00

12/18/02

02/25/08

38-26 (a) (3)

Treatment Without Transport

$150.00

12/18/02

38-26 (b)

Additional Attendants

$50.00 $55.00/ each

12/18/02

02/25/08

38-26 (b)

Medical Supply Charge

$75.00

12/18/02

38-26 (b)

Oxygen Administration

$30.00 $35.00

12/18/02

02/25/08

38-26 (c)

Loaded Mileage Fee

$7.00 $8.00/ loaded mile

12/18/02

02/25/08

46-33 (a)

Medical Incident Reports

$15.00

12/18/02