City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MAY 5, 2021
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Introduction and First Reading. Consideration of an Ordinance to increase the Ambulance Service Charges by amending Article J (SERVICE CHARGES FOR CITY AMBULANCE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENT RESPONSE SERVICES) to Chapter 2 (TAXATION) of Title 3 (FINANCE, TAXATION AND PROCUREMENT).
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of the proposal to implement proposed FY 2021 Ambulance Fee Increases in FY 2022.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council adopt the attached ordinance (Attachment) as part of the FY 2022 Approved Budget on first reading and hold a second reading, public hearing and adopt the ordinance on Saturday, May 15, 2021.
BACKGROUND: This memorandum provides detailed information regarding a proposed Ambulance service fee and per mile charge increase for FY 2022. These fee increases are projected to bring in an additional $180,000 in revenue from ambulance service charges for the City in FY 2022. These fee increases were assumed in the FY 2022 adopted budget as amended by the add/delete process.
DISCUSSION: When a patient is transported to a hospital/medical facility, the ambulance service fee will be one of the following:
• For Basic Life Support (BLS), the current charge is $500 Basic Life Support is the transportation by ground ambulance vehicle and the provision of medical supplies and services without Advanced Life Support intervention.
• For Advanced Life Support, Level 1 (ALS-1) the current charge is $650 ALS-1 service is the transportation by ground ambulance vehicle and the provision of medically necessary supplies and services including the provision of an ALS assessment and at least one ALS intervention.
• For Advanced Life Support, Level 2 (ALS-2) the current charge is $800 ALS-2 service is the transportation by ground ambulance vehicle and the provision of medically necessary supplies and services including: (1) at least three separate administrations of one or more medications by intravenous push/bolus or by continuous infusion; or (2) ground ambulance transport and the provision of at least one advanced life-saving procedure.
In addition,
• For all transports, a charge of $10.00 per mile is charged based on the number of miles a patient is transported to a medical facility.
Through the FY 2022 add/delete process, these service charges are proposed to increase to:
• BLS Transport from $500 to $600
• ALS-1 Transport from $650 to $780
• ALS-2 Transport from $800 to $900
• Ground Transport Mileage (GTM) $10 per mile to $12 per mile
FISCAL IMPACT: Increasing the Ambulance Service fees is projected to generate approximately $180,000 in additional revenue each year. The new fees will be effective for services rendered on or after July 1, 2021.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 - Ordinance Cover
Attachment 2 - Proposed Ordinance
STAFF:
Debra Collins, Deputy City Manager
Corey Smedley, Fire Chief