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Hearing to consider adoption of Resolutions 188-2007 and 193-2007 establishing the ambulance rate schedule for County Service Areas 3 and 7 to provide advanced life support ambulance services within the legal boundaries of said County Service Areas. (Cont'd 7-17-07, Item 41)
FUNDING: Fee assessment.
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Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: Adoption and implementation of these proposed rates will generate additional revenues. There is no net County cost and no impact on the General Fund.
Background: The County of El Dorado, through the Public Health Department, oversees the delivery of all emergency and non-emergency ambulance services in the County. The actual service is provided under contracts with two separate Joint Powers Authorities, one on the Western Slope and one in South Lake Tahoe. The Public Health Department bills for these services through its contract with Wittman Enterprises.
In 2006, the Public Health Department conducted a full review of ambulance service rates and the Board of Supervisors adopted the recommended rate schedule. The Board directed the Department to conduct a full review of the rate schedule every two years. In the intervening year the Department recommends adjusting the rates by the Medical Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) in order to keep abreast of cost increases. The attached schedule recommends a 6% adjustment based on CPI-U.
Additionally, during the County's review of ambulance rates in 2006, the Board directed staff to research two additional potential fees: 1) a fee for non-residents and 2) a fee for treatment-no transport. As a result of this review in addition to the 6% adjustment for increase in the medical CPI, separate non-resident fee categories have been created for all base charges by adding $25 to each base charge. This amount is similar to the annual assessment/tax paid by an El Dorado County homeowner for ambulance services.
A new fee for "Treatment - No Transport" of $300 has also been added...
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