SR 03-22-2016 3L
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: March 22, 2016
Agenda Item: 3.L
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Dennis Downs, Interim Fire Chief, Fire Department
Subject: Second Modification to Contract to Provide Emergency Ambulance and Billing
Services
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a second modification to Contract No. 9438 (CCS) with Ameri-Care
Ambulance, a California-based company, to provide emergency ambulance and billing
services. This will result in a six year amended contract at no cost to the City.
Executive Summary
On July 26, 2011 Council approved Contract No. 9438 (CCS) with Ameri-Care to
provide emergency ambulance and billing services for a three-year term beginning
August 4, 2011. On July 22, 2014 Council approved a first amendment to Contract No.
9438 (CCS) with Ameri-Care to extend the terms of the contract until July 31, 2016.
The City currently uses Ameri-Care as its ambulance provider and ambulance related
billing services. This second modification to the agreement is to extend services for a
one-year term. Ameri-
from the patient rather than a direct payment from the City. Anticipated revenue
generated by fees collected by Ameri-Care on behalf of the Santa Monica Fire
Department have been included in the FY 2015-16 Budget in the amount of $823,438.
Discussion
The City has utilized an emergency ambulance and billing service company since 2004
to provide billing services for the Fire Department for the expenses associated with
Emergency Medical Services provided by Fire Department paramedics in connection
with the response, assessment, treatment and/or transportation of members of the
public. Charges are assessed based on the Advanced Life Support Assessment Fee
adopted by Council on June 15, 2004 and the Skilled Nursing Facility fee adopted on
June 23, 2015. The Advanced Life Support Assessment Fee is established by the Los
Angeles County Emergency Services Agency General Public Ambulance Rates; the fee
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is currently $1,561.00. The City receives approximately $548.25 in revenue per
advanced life support transport based on the current fee structure. The current Skilled
Nursing Facility fee is currently $902.17.
The Fire Department responds to nearly 12,000 emergency medical calls annually and
calls for patient transport have increased 5% as compared to the previous year; Ameri-
Care transports approximately 7,200 patients annually.
response model includes six paramedic engine companies and other support units
deployed as needed, including four rescue ambulances which are mainly used for
special events. Contracted Ameri-Care emergency ambulances are used to transport
patients on behalf of the Fire Department with Santa Monica Fire Department
paramedics on-board to provide patient treatment in the ambulance while enroute to a
medical facility.
Ameri-Care has successfully provided ambulance services for the past five years. Staff
recommends extending their term for an additional one-year of service while the
Department undergoes a cost/revenue analysis of all options available for the delivery
of Fire Department-based emergency medical services including the current delivery
system and practices. There are significant opportunities for rethinking our current
models for service delivery and funding. The next Santa Monica Fire Chief will lead the
collaborative interdepartmental exploration of the best options for presentation to the
City Council.
Contractor Selection
In May 2011, the City issued a Requests for Proposals (RFP) for an emergency
ambulance and billing services. The RFP -line bidding site,
and notices were advertised in the Santa Monica Daily Press in accordance with City
Charter and Municipal Code provisions. In addition, the notice was disseminated to 16
licensed ambulance companies in Los Angeles County. Five Los Angeles County
ambulance providers submitted proposals. Proposals were evaluated on price,
response capabilities, commitment to purchase property in Santa Monica to locate an
ambulance station, redundant dispatch and operation system, and an ability to provide
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real-time vehicle location services. After a thorough review, the selection committee
recommended Ameri-Care as the best bidder based on the evaluation criteria.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
There is no immediate budget or financial impact related to this staff report. Ameri-
than a direct payment from the City. Anticipated Fire Department revenue generated by
fees collected by Ameri-Care on behalf of the department have been included in the
FY2015-16 Budget in the amount of $823,438.
Prepared By:
Terese Toomey, Principal Administrative Analyst
Approved Forwarded to Council
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