File #: ORD-3463    Version: 1
Type: Ordinance Status: Consent Agenda
File created: 8/18/2017 In control: City Council
On agenda: 9/12/2017 Final action:
Title: Consider adopting Ordinance No. 3463 amending the Farmers Branch Code of Ordinances, Appendix A - Fee Schedule, Section 30-33, and take appropriate action.
Sponsors: Charles Cox
Attachments: 1. Ord 3463 Ambulance Fees-89302
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultAction DetailsPacketVideo
No records to display.

Title

Consider adopting Ordinance No. 3463 amending the Farmers Branch Code of Ordinances, Appendix A - Fee Schedule, Section 30-33, and take appropriate action.

 

Body

BACKGROUND:

Ordinance No. 3463 has been prepared to address needed changes related to fees associated with providing emergency medical service. The City of Farmers Branch provides emergency medical/ambulance transport service through the Fire Department at an annual cost of approximately $4.2 million.

 

During recent budget work sessions, City Administration discussed increasing the City’s emergency ambulance service transport rates as a measure to reduce the subsidy to the cost of providing ambulance service and to maximize Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance revenues while minimizing a patient’s out-of-pocket expenses.

 

DISCUSSION:

Increasing ambulance transport rates will bring increased reimbursement to the City of Farmers Branch, but will not increase fees beyond our costs or raise the rates for residents beyond those charged by neighboring jurisdictions. The intent is to ensure that the rates cover a portion of rising costs and the related activities in the collection of those fees.

 

Since October 2011, the City has charged emergency ambulance service fees of:

                     

Service

Resident

Non-Resident

Basic Life Support

$400

$600

Advanced Life Support, Level 1

$575

$700

Advanced Life Support, Level 2

$625

$750

Mileage charge for transport from nearest City limit to any hospital outside of the City. One (1) mile charge for transport to any hospital within the City.

$10

$10

 

City Administration proposes an increase in rates to:

 

ServiceResidentNon-Resident

 

 

Basic Life Support

$650

$725

Advanced Life Support, Level 1

$650

$725

Advanced Life Support, Level 2

$800

$875

Mileage charge for transport from nearest City limit to any hospital outside of the City. One (1) mile charge for transport to any hospital within the City.

$15

$15

 

 

These increased rates are projected to increase ambulance fee revenues by approximately $30,000 and are consistent with fees currently charged by area cities.

 

This ordinance supports the City’s guiding principle related to financial stewardship.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

City Administration recommends adopting Ordinance No. 3463 amending the Farmers Branch Code of Ordinances related to ambulance transport rates.

 

POSSIBLE COUNCIL ACTION:

1. I move to approve Ordinance No. 3463 amending the Farmers Branch Code of Ordinances, Appendix A - Fee Schedule, Section 30-33.

2. I move to approve Ordinance No. 3463 amending the Farmers Branch Code of Ordinances, Appendix A - Fee Schedule, Section 30-33, with modifications.

3. I move to table the issue for further study or take no action.

 

ATTACHMENTS:

1.  Ordinance No. 3463