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Health Services Department recommending Chairman be authorized to sign Declaration of Intent for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 authorizing the Department to contract back to the State the administration of the County’s Emergency Medical Services Appropriation (EMSA) for the Physicians Uncompensated Care Program.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve.
FUNDING: State funding.
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Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: None. Physicians will bill the State directly for compensation of emergency care to the indigent during FY 2008-09.
Background: The EMSA Physician’s Uncompensated Care Program was enacted for the purpose of reimbursing hospital physicians who provide emergency services to patients who cannot afford to pay for those services, and for whom payment will not be made through any private coverage or by any program funded in whole or in part by the federal government. This program differs from the current “EMS Fund,” whereby physicians are able to bill for any emergency service provided to a qualifying patient anywhere in a hospital setting.
The County has contracted back its EMS appropriation to the State for several years.
Reason for Recommendation: Due to the labor and cost involved in reporting and administering this funding, the Department recommends continuation of the contract back option with the State. Physicians who sign up for this program are reimbursed no more than 50% of their costs; local providers support the contract back option.
This Declaration of Intent document is for fiscal year 2008-09 and is retroactive to July 1, 2008. The document was made available to the County on November 4, 2008, and staff immediately began processing for submission to the Board at the next available Board date.
Action to be taken following Board approval:
· Chairman to sign three (3) original Declaration of Intent documents.
· Board Clerk to forward two (2) fully executed Declaration of Intent documents to the Health Services Department - Public Hea...
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