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Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Division, recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 021-M1710 with Alpine County, beginning upon final execution through August 31, 2019, for the County of El Dorado to provide ambulance services via an agreement with the CSA 3 ambulance contractor within the defined boundaries of Alpine County, on a fee-for-service basis; and
2) Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, to execute further documents relating to MOU 021-M1710, including amendments which do not increase the term of the MOU, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: Fee-for-service billing to patient or third party payer for services provided.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 021-M1710 with Alpine County to allow the County of El Dorado to provide Advanced Life Support ground ambulance services within the defined boundaries of Alpine County contiguous to the area known as County Service Area 3 (CSA 3) on a fee-for-service basis. This will ensure ambulance services to those Alpine County residents and visitors in the defined service area of Alpine County.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Alpine County borders the County of El Dorado and is considered within the Lake Tahoe medical market area. Historically El Dorado provided ambulance service coverage for Alpine County via the County of El Dorado’s agreement with the ambulance service contractor for CSA 3, through MOU 687-PHD1107, which expired December 31, 2011. Since that time, the County of El Dorado has provided ambulance services via mutual aid, and auto aid, in accordance with Government Code Title 2, Division 2, Chapter 7, since Alpine County has neither the staff nor the facilities to provide ambulance services. HHSA has recently negotiated mutually acceptable terms and conditions with Alpine County including establishing rates that equitably reimburse the County of El Dorado for services provided by the CSA 3 ambulance contractor.
This MOU 021-M1710, ensures residents and visitors in the defined service area of Alpine County who need potentially life-saving ambulance services will continue to benefit from these services provided by County of El Dorado’s ambulance services contractor and establishes billing rates that equitably reimburse for the services rendered. The collected fees will be deposited in the CSA 3 fund balance.
ALTERNATIVES:
Disapproval of Memorandum of Understanding 021-M1710 will result in the return to a mutual aid model, not providing for clear terms and conditions.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel and Risk Management
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. Services provided by the County of El Dorado’s ambulance service contractor are billed via the County’s ambulance services billing contractor, following the same protocol, and utilizing a rate structure commensurate with non-resident rates approved by the Board, resulting in equitable reimbursement for services rendered.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on two (2) originals of Memorandum of Understanding 021-M1710.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed MOU to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Public Safety
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., Director