Title
Emergency Medical Services, a division of the Chief Administrative Office, recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 041-2025 authorizing an update to the Ambulance Rate Schedule for County Service Area 3 and Resolution 040-2025 authorizing an update to the Ambulance Rate Schedule for County Service Area 7, to provide an updated description and definition for Critical Care/Specialty Care Transports to include the expanded scope of practice for Critical Care Paramedics, with no change to the previously established ambulance rates.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
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 managed by the Chief Administrative Office, Emergency Medical Services Division (EMS).
The Board of Supervisors established ambulance billing rates for CSA 3 and CSA 7 on November 17, 2015, and updated rates for CSA 3 on June 21, 2022. The Ambulance Rate Schedule Resolutions provide for an annual increase based on an average of the US Medical Care Services and the San Francisco-Oakland All Items indices of the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index. Pursuant to Government Code Sections 54985 and 66016 and County Ordinance Code Section 1.04.260, any changes to the current rates, charges, and fees may only be modified, set, or fixed by the Board of Supervisors by Resolution.
The current approved Ambulance Rate Schedules for CSA 3 and CSA 7 define Critical Care Transports as care provided by a registered nurse during transport from a hospital to another receiving facility. EMS has updated the requirements for Critical Care/Specialty Care Transports to include care provided by specially trained paramedics, to provide an expanded scope of practice during Critical Care/Specialty Care Transports. The recommended resolutions update the Ambulance Rate Schedule for CSA 3 and CSA 7 to provide an updated description and definition to align with this change. Besides the description and definition updates, there is no change to the previously established ambulance rates.
ALTERNATIVES
If the Board decides not to authorize these resolutions, the EMS Division will be unable to bill at the Critical Care/Specialty Care Transport rates for services provided by specially trained paramedics.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
On November 17, 2015, the Board adopted Resolutions 186-2015 and 187-2015. (10-0415) - Established CSA 3 & 7 rates
On June 21, 2022, the Board adopted Resolution 089-2022. (22-0380) - Updated CSA 3 rates
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel has reviewed the resolutions.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The division anticipates receiving additional revenue due to the expanded scope of CCTs, however the increase is not anticipated to have a material financial impact.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain the signature of the Chair on both Resolutions, one copy each.
2) Clerk of the Board to provide certified Resolutions to the Kristine Guth with the EMS Agency at 2900 Fairlane Court, Placerville.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Sue Hennike, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer