HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-Fire Department
CITY OF SAN BERN~DINO - REQUEST FcQ COUNCIL ACTION
Chief William L. Wright
Subject:
Set Public Hearing -- 11-19-90
establishment of an Emergency
Medical Services Fee
FQ
Dept:
Fire
Da~: November 5, 1990
Synopsis of Previous Council action:
October 1, 1990.......Establishment of Emergency Medical fee approved in concept.
September 10, 1990....Ways and Means Committee approved in concept.
April 16, 1990........Council Meeting, Agenda Item 45 - failed by 3-3 vote.
April 2, 1990.........Set public hearing date on proposed ordinance authoriz-
ing collection of Emergency Medical Service/Paramedic
Fees.
March 22, 1990........Legislative Review Committee recommended approval of
proposed ordinance.
Recommended motion:
O That a public hearing be set for November 19,1990 at 10 a.m., to con-
. sider the establishment of an Emergency Medical Services fee and that
the City Clerk be authorized to publish notice of a Public Hearing in
the San Bernardino Sun newspaper.
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Signatur
Contact person: Chief william L. Wriqht
Phone:
5286
Supporting data attached:
Yes
Ward:
FUNDING REOUIREMENTS:
Amount:
Source: (Acct. No,)
(Acct. DescriPtion)
Finance:
Oil Notes:
75-0262
Agenda Item No
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CITY OF SAN BERNRtOINO - REQUEST FO~COUNCIL ACTION
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STAFF REPORT
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES/ PARAMEDIC 'USER FEES'
AND
VOLUNTARY
'MEMBERSHIP' PROGRAM
November 5.1990
PROPOSAL:
The City establish fees for providing emergency medical services (EMS). A fee of
$100 for basic life support (BLS), provided by 01111 fire engines. and a fee of $200 for
advanced life support (ALS). provided by 3 medic-engines and 1 medic-squad.
These costs would be referred to as 'User Fees'. The user fee is charged for fire
department EMS services rendered, independent of the need for ambulance
transportation.
If residents want to avoid the 'out of pocket' expense of an ALS or BLS user fee they
would have the opportunity to become 'members' of the Voluntary Paramedic
Membership Program by paying a 'membership fee' of $24. User fee would then
be charged to the member's insurance company and will be accepted as
payment in full. A 'Low Income' membership fee of $12 would also be available for
those who qualify.
The net revenue for 'User Fee' charges alone, based on a flat rate of $100 for BLS
and $200 for ALS or paramedic level service. is projected to
be approximately $374,640. 'User fees' plus a modest membership of 10% of the
59.(0) dwelling units in the city could generate $610,764 annually.
Under NO circumstances will fire department services be delayed or denied to
anyone. Verification of membership and ability to pay will NOT occur at the scene of
any emergency.
BACKGROUND:
'User fees' and 'membership programs' are becoming increasingly popular to
augment city revenues. City Fire Department staff surveyed the departments of like
size in Southern California. Model programs exist in Huntington Beach and Fullerton
where 60-70% of municipal water customers are members. Anaheim. Orange.
Hawthorne. Monterey Park, and Westminster also have successful programs that
recover all or a major portion of their EMS budgets.
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~Al IMPACT:
Minimal initiallv. 'User Fee' billing services will be contracted to Courtesy Services.
They will send all users. or their designated health insurance provider. a separate bill
for fire department emergency medical services. Courtesy Services has proposed
a fee of 9.5% of gross collections. The gross revenue projected for 'non-resident user
fees' alone is $109.068. Courtesy Services fee of 9.5% would amount to
approximately $10.361 annually. Initially the program's revenue will be directed Into
an 'Trust Account'. These funds will be used for marketing. public education.
advertising. mailings. consuitatlon costs. and to evaluate the management needs to
ensure maximum success of the program.
The Finance and Data Processing Departments are putting together a proposal for
'membership fee' collections and membership verification.
Temporary help will be needed during the enrollment period for data entry and
other related tasks.
IMPLEMENTATION:
A phase-in process Is recommended:
Phase One - 'Non- Resident User Fees'
The first four to six months only non-residents will be billed for 'User Fees' until the
Membership program becomes effective. This phase will allow us to evaluate
our methods and needs for record keeping. documentation. and billing
procedures with a relatively small sample group (24% of the patients transDorted
are non-residents) and begin generating revenue. Any changes that need to be
made will be less costly and time consuming.
From the statistics provided. we can fairly accurately. determine the number of
BLS and ALS responses that involve non-residents. After applying the fees to these
numbers for a gross revenue of $109.068. we can then subtract the collection fee
of 9.5% ($10.361) and show a net revenue for 'user fees' generated from non-
residents alone of $98.707 annually.
During this phase the program's revenue will be directed into a 'Trust Account'.
These funds will be used for marketing. public education. advertising. mailings.
and consultation costs. Consuitants will be used to evaluate the coordination and
management needs to maximize the success of the program.
This 'non-resident phase' can be implemented 90 days after approval. Funds will
be set aside for printing costs and establishing a marketing plan.
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Phase Two. 'Membership Enrollment'
A two month open enrollment period for voluntary membership. following a
month of intensive marketing is recommended. Multi-media public information
programs will be developed along with brochures and applications mailed in the
water bills. In addition a mass mailing to every dwelling unit in the city. would start
in March. April. May. or June.
Phase Two - open enrollment for voluntary membership will repeat annually.
Phase Three. Full Implementation
After the voluntary membership open enrollment period ends. memberships
become effective. and at that time the 'User Fee' will be applicable to ALL 'non-
member' users (residents and non-residents) from that time on .
Again, under NO circumstances will fire department services be delayed or denied.
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