TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Tom Kisela, City Manager
FROM: Sean deMetropolis, Fire Chief
1. Subject
title
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange amending the Master Schedule of Fees and Charges to adjust Ground Ambulance Transportation Rates. Resolution No. 11556.
body
2. Summary
The City's Emergency Ground Ambulance Transportation rates have historically aligned with those approved by the Orange County Board of Supervisors. The Orange County Health Care Agency has implemented the annual adjustment, effective July 1, using an approved methodology. Staff recommends City Council adopt the new rates for the City of Orange effective July 1, 2024.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 11556. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange amending the Master Schedule of Fees and Charges to adjust Emergency Medical Services and Ground Ambulance Transportation Rates.
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4. Fiscal Impact
The ground ambulance transportation rate changes will result in an approximate increase of $550,000 in additional revenue to the Emergency Transport Program Fund (125).
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 2: Be a Fiscally Healthy Community
b: Analyze future fiscal needs and potential revenue opportunities.
6. Discussion and Background
On December 20, 2022, the Orange County Board of Supervisors (BOS) passed Resolution No. 22-163 which increased ground ambulance fees January 1, 2023, and adopted methodology for future rate changes effective July 1 of each year.
As with other Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers within the county, the Orange Fire Department’s operating costs continue to rise, and we repeatedly experience a shortfall in reimbursements for emergency ground transportation. The Fire Department recommends updating our transport fees to offset rising operational costs and remain consistent with those of other ambulance transportation providers throughout Orange County.
|
Type of Charge |
Basis for Charge |
Current |
Effective 07/01/24 |
|
Emergency Basic Life Support (BLS) Base Rate1 |
Applicable for urgent or Code 3 response at the request of a public safety employee. |
$1,876.24 |
$2,238.88 |
|
Emergency Advanced Life Support (ALS) Base Rate1 |
Applicable for urgent or Code 3 response at the request of a public safety employee. |
$1,876.24 |
$2,712.19 |
|
Mileage |
Per patient mile or fraction thereof. |
$ 19.51 |
$ 23.28 |
|
Standby time |
Per 30 minutes after the first 30 minutes. |
$ 132.10 |
$ 157.63 |
1 Oxygen & medical supplies included in base rates
Based upon the revenue from emergency transports performed in Fiscal Year 2024-2023 and increased call volume since then, the proposed ground ambulance transportation rate changes should result in an increase of approximately $550,000 in additional yearly revenue to the Emergency Transport Program Fund (125), when adjusting for our payor mix.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Resolution No. 11556
• Orange County EMS Policy/Procedures #714.00