To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Request to Increase Ambulance Fee for Service Areas 1 (Northwestern Humboldt County)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
Approve and authorize an increase in billing rates for ambulance services provided in Service Area 1 (Northwestern Humboldt County).
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Safe & Healthy Communities
Strategic Plan Category: 1001 -Support and sustain partnerships between public safety and partner agencies to enhance public safety in our communities
DISCUSSION:
County Code Title V - Health and Safety Division 5, Emergency Medical Services System, Section 551-6 Ambulance Service Rates requires that all rates of the schedule shall remain effective until any rate changes are amended or approved by the Board of Supervisors.
On June 28, 2024, Arcata-Mad River Ambulance, LLC contacted Humboldt County Public Health requesting a rate adjustment to their current fee schedule for Service Area 1, which covers the northwestern portion of Humboldt County as defined in the County’s Health and Safety Code, Title V, Emergency Medical Services System, Standards of Ambulance Equipment and Operations, Section 551-9 (c). The last request for a rate adjustment for this service area was approved by your Board was approved on Aug. 30, 2022.
Arcata-Mad River Ambulance, LLC is requesting the increase with the intention of offsetting significant increases in employee wages in the face of outside competition and to cover other increased costs including fuel and supplies. Arcata-Mad River Ambulance, LLC does not receive tax subsidies for providing emergency and non-emergency ambulance services and relies fully on fees for service.
This request was reviewed by the County Health Officer and supporting financial documentation was provided to Public Health Fiscal for analysis. Public Health Fiscal reviewed the detailed financial records pertaining to the ambulance services provided by Arcata-Mad River Ambulance, LLC and supports the proposed rate increase.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Private Revenues
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
The request before your Board will increase Arcata Mad River Ambulance, LLC. The increase will support wage increases starting Oct. 1, 2024 and March 1, 2025. The proposed increase does not affect the reimbursement rate from Medi-Cal and Medicare. There is no impact to the County General Fund or the Public Health Fund.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your Board could choose not to authorize and approve this request, however this is not recommended. To do so would impact Arcata-Mad River Ambulance, Inc.’s ability to maintain highly trained ambulance crews and cover increased operating costs.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Arcata-Mad River Ambulance, Inc.’s rate increase request, with current and proposed ambulance rate schedules, dated June 28, 2024.
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: 8/30/2022
File No.: 22-1095