Title
Emergency Medical Services, a division of the Chief Administrative Office, recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign a perpetual non-financial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 10122 with Rural Medevac Alliance for the provision of automatic aid, mutual aid, and backup air ambulance services within the County; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute any necessary amendments relating to MOU 10122 that do not add compensation terms, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: N/A - Provider bills patients and insurance companies directly for services provided.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The County's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency is responsible for the oversight of Advanced Life Support (ALS) prehospital emergency services and medical transportation within the County, which includes air ambulance services. The County has an agreement for air ambulance services with Reach Medical Holdings LLC. However, to ensure that air ambulance resources are available for time-sensitive critical patient transfers within the County, the EMS Agency is recommending a perpetual non-financial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Rural Medevac Alliance to provide automatic aid, mutual aid, and backup air ambulance services.
To ensure access to rapid air ambulance services for critically ill and injured people within the County, the recommended mutual aid agreement allows for services when local resources are overwhelmed, unavailable, or in the best interest of the patient. Establishing this agreement will ensure that the County maintains reliable, adequate, and timely air medical transport capabilities, particularly during periods of high demand, aircraft unavailability, maintenance downtime, or adverse operational conditions.
The recommended MOU is a non-financial agreement in which the provider bills the patient and insurance companies directly for services provided.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the B...
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