sr-011381-6nT0:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
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Santa Monica, California, December 30, 1980
Mayor and City Council
City Staff
Ambulance Transport Fees
Introduction
This report will recommend a fee schedule for ambulance transportation
provided by the Fire Department.
Background
The Fire Department budget for fiscal 1980-81 contains funds for imple-
mentation of a limited ambulance transport system for emergency medical
services.
At the time of budget deliberations, a flat fee of $75.00 for transport
services was utilized as a base figure for cost analysis purposes. This
figure was established as a composite on the basis of fees which were be-
ing charged by the private sector as well as fee schedules of neighboring
fire departments that were providing similar services. A copy of current
fee schedules is attached. Also attached is a copy of the fee schedule
established by the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors which represents the
maximum amount of reimbursement to private ambulance companies under the
Emergency Aid Ptan. The Emergency Aid Plan essentially provides payment
for uncollected bills for services rendered.
In reviewing current available information, it is the opinion of staff
that the fee schedule contained in the recommendation would be an equit-
able charge for transport services provided by the Fire Department. Con-
sideration was given to a reduced fee schedule for low and moderate income
residents, but it was determined that the provisions of the Emergency Aid
Plan and State insurance programs would provide for that purpose.
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A
T0: Mayor and Council - 2 - December 30, 1980
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution establishing
the following fee schedule for ambulance transportation provided by the
Fire Department.
Base Rate
Extra Charges:
Mileage per mile
Nights (7 P.M. to 7 A.M.)
Oxygen Used
Standby Time
More than 1 Victim
Prepared by
Thomas C. Tolman
$58.00
3.25
9.00
9.00
9.00 per 15 min. period
29.00
TCT:bg
AMBULANCE CHARGES
Ambulance companies are regulated as to charged by the County of Los Angeles,
Board of Supervisors. Both Goodhew and Schaefer Ambulance companies have
the same payment schedule which follows:
Goodhew and Schaefer Ambulance
Base Rate $75.00
Per Mile Charge 5.00
Night Charge (1900 - 0700) 12.00
Oxygen 12.00
Waiting Time 12.00
Use of Incubator 25.00
Use of Respirator 10.00
Use of Defibrillator 15.00
Use of Bio-Phone 25.00
EKG Monitor Hook-up 15.00
Starting of an I.V. 10.00
Los Angeles City
$60.00
City of Burbank
es
The City of Burbank is approximately the
same size as Santa Monica in both area and
population. In calendar year 1979 the Bur-
bank paramedics responded to 4,128 calls
for assistance.
Transportation Charges
Base Rate $50.00
Mileage Rate 4.50
Night Rate 5.00
Additional Patient 27.15
Code III Rate 11.00
Oxygen Use Rate 5.00
Linen Charge 1.00
City of Beverly Hills
The City of Beverly Hills charges $45.00 just
to respond. Even if the patient is not trans-
ported to a hospital facility, the patient is
charged this basic $45.00. In the event the
patient is transported via Fire Department am-
bulance he/she is charged an additional $25.00
AMBULANCE CHARGES (continued
City of Long Beach
Transportation .Charges
Base Rate $50.00
Oxygen Use 7.00
Los Angeles County
Base Rate 58.00
Extra Charges:
Mileage - per mile 3.25
Nights (7 PM to 7 AM) 9.00
Oxygen used 9.00
If ambulance .has to
wait 15 minutes 9.00
for additional 15 min.
periods 9.00
Emergency siren and
lights used 10.00
If more than one victim
in one ambulance
$58 plus 29.00.