Title
Emergency Medical Services, a division of the Chief Administrative Office, recommending the Board:
1) Make findings in accordance with County ordinance code 3.13.030 (B) that it is appropriate to engage an independent contractor to provide ambulance billing services, as these services require specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications;
2) Award Request for Proposal 24-0121 to Wittman Enterprises, LLC for ambulance billing services;
3) Approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent to sign Agreement 9842 with Wittman Enterprises, LLC, for the provision of ambulance billing services compensated at 3.49% of net collections for the term of five years, from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2030; and
4) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or their designee, to execute any necessary amendments, excluding term extensions and increases to the compensation, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: Ambulance Service Fees.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The County of El Dorado provides ambulance services throughout the Tahoe Basin through County Service Area No. 3 (CSA 3) and the West Slope through County Service Area No. 7 (CSA 7). Ambulance services are contracted through qualified emergency medical service providers and managed by the Chief Administrative Office, Emergency Medical Services Division (EMS). Ambulance services are billed in accordance with the County’s established ambulance billing rates for CSA 3 and CSA 7.
The County contracts out for ambulance billing services, as these services require specialized training related to medical billing and industry regulations. On December 10, 2019, the Board approved Agreement 4432 with Wittman Enterprises, LLC to provide ambulance billing services for the County through December 31, 2025 (Legistar File 19-1673). On January 8, 2025, the County initiated a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) 24-0121 for ambulance billing services. On April 7, 2025, a Notice of Intent to Award was issued declaring Wittman Enterprises, LLC the apparent successful proposer of the RFP.
If approved, Agreement 9842, with Wittman Enterprises, LLC, will provide ambulance billing services for the term of five years, from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2030. Under the proposed Agreement, services are compensated at 3.49% of net collections of ambulance service fees. Because compensation is based on net collections, there is no limit on total compensation under the proposed Agreement. Under the prior agreement, Wittman was compensated at 4.25% of net collections. Agreement 9842, lowers the compensated rate by 0.76% with the proposed 3.49% of net collections rate.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, EMS would need to find another ambulance billing provider; not doing so would result in a significant decrease in revenue that directly funds ambulance and EMS services.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
On December 10, 2019, the Board approved Agreement 4432 with Wittman Enterprises, LLC (Legistar File 19-1673).
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no General Fund impact related to this Agreement. All services are funded by ambulance service fees.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Sue Phillips, Interim Chief Administrative Officer