G-937 - 10/12/2010 - FIRE DEPARTMENT - Ordinances Supporting DocumentsITI'N 10.0.2)
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AGENDA ITEM
Regular Board of Trustees Meeting
of
October 12, 2010
SUBJECT: Ambulance Fees
FROM: Thomas McEllin, Fire Chief Kr`V
BUDGET SOURCEIBUDGET IMPACT: N/A
RECOMMENDED MOTION: I move that the Village Board approve Ordinance G-t?31
"An Ordinance Amending Section 3 -2 -5A of Chapter 2 of Title 3 of the Village Code of the
Village of Oak Brook and Increasing the Fees for Use of Emergency Medical Services
Provided by the Oak Brook Fire Department ".
Background /History:
The Village of Oak Brook assesses a user charge for all fire department ambulance calls
involving transportation of the patient. The Village charges a rate for providing the service plus a
mileage amount based on estimated distance to the hospital. At the present time the Village
charges differing rates for three service levels: Basic Life Support (BLS), Advance Life Support
I (ALS I) and Advance Life Support II (ALS II). The majority of the patients are charged for
BLS or ALS I. ALS II is a very high level of service that we have only billed for on twenty -two
(22) occasions in the last year. In addition to these three service tiers, the rate structure charges
different rates for residents and non - residents.
The ambulance fees currently in effect were last adjusted in 2007. Since that time the Medicare
allowed fees have increased and now all of the Village's resident rates are below the Medicare
reimbursement amount. Approximately 75% of resident ambulance billing is covered by
Medicare, with much of the remainder being covered by private insurance. To have a resident
billing rate that is below what Medicare or insurance allows leaves "money on the table" since
Medicare and insurance will be paying less that they normally would. We are recommending
increasing fees to Option #2 in the table below with resident rates set at $150.00 less per
transport than non - resident rates and that residents are not billed for any balance not covered by
their insurance.
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Last saved by rkane 1:WLL DOCS\2a- MEMOS -BOTH mbulmeefeesl0- 12- 10- r2.doc
Last printed 10/8/2010 3:40 PM
This has the effect of the Village receiving the fair amount for medical services provided while
providing residential benefits in cost and billing. Insurance companies will reimburse reasonable
and customary charges. Our cost is based on staffing two (2) ALS ambulances, plus equipment,
training, and administrative fees. This cost does not include the premium that the Oak Brook Fire
Department provides. We respond with a minimum of two (2) and as many as eight (8)
paramedics administering emergency care based on the type of medical emergency.
The final analysis in setting rates is a comparison with what other jurisdictions charge. Based on
a recent survey of area communities, the average BLS /ALS I non - residents rates were $830.00
and $1122.00, respectively. Although Option #2 & #3 are above average, it should be noted that
many other jurisdictions charge for different treatments, supplies, and special services in addition
to the flat rate charge. Therefore, our bundled rate may in fact be less than the total bill once all
of the charges are added together.
Non - Resident
Municipality
BLS
ALS1
ALS2
Mileage $
Addison
$750
$1,100
$1,400
14
Clarendon Hills
$800
$1,000
$1,200
18
Elmhurst
$850
$1,250
$1,350
16
Hillside
$1,125
$1,950
$2,550
16
Hinsdale
$800
$1,000
$1,200
18
Lombard
$750
$970
$1,100
N/A
Oakbrook Terrace
$700
$700
$700
7
Villa Park
$500
$600
$740
11
Westchester
$1,275
$1,650
$2,100
16
Westmont
$750
$1,000
$1,000
14
AVG
$830.00
$1,122.00
$1,334.00
$14.33
Oak Brook Current
$550
$600
$800
6.00
2,1 ion #1 Avera a
$850
$1,150
$1,350
14.50
01)t!2 lion 42 10 , Above Average
$950
$1,250
$1,500
15.00
Option 43 Between High End and Average
$1,000
$1,550
$1,950
16.00
Recommendation:
I recommend that this Ordinance be passed.
Last saved by rkane IALL DOCS2a- MEMOS- BOT\ambulance fees10- 12- 10- r2.doc
Last printed 10/8/2010 3:40 PM
OPTION #2
ORDINANCE 2010 -FD- EMS -G -937
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 3 -2 -5A (DEPARTMENTAL FEES/
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES) OF CHAPTER 2 (FIRE DEPARTMENT)
OF TITLE 3 (PUBLIC SAFETY) OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF THE VILLAGE
OF OAK BROOK AND INCREASING FEES FOR USE OF EMERGENCY
MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE OAK BROOK FIRE DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, the Village President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Oak Brook have
heretofore passed and approved Ordinance G -833 on February 27, 2007, which revised the fees charged
upon any person receiving emergency medical service and transportation provided by the Village of Oak
Brook; and
WHEREAS, the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Oak Brook have reviewed such
fees and deemed that adjustments in such fees are necessary to more properly reimburse the Village for
the costs of providing such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
THE VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK, DU PAGE AND COOK COUNTIES, ILLINOIS as follows:
Section 1: That the provisions of the preamble hereinabove set forth are hereby adopted as
though fully set forth herein.
Section 2: That Section 3 -2 -5A of the Village Code of the Village of Oak Brook be and is hereby
amended to read as follows:
3 -2 -5: DEPARTMENTAL FEES:
A. Emergency Medical Services: As the Village, through its fire department, currently
provides emergency medical service to the Village, and the corporate authorities of the
Village deem it appropriate to impose a user charge for such service in order to defray
partially the cost to the Village of providing such service, a fee is hereby imposed upon
any person receiving emergency medical service and transportation for each use
provided by the Village as follows:
1. Eight hundred dollars ($800.00) for residents of the Village plus fifteen
dollars ($15.00) per mile from the point of pick up to the hospital for basic life
support services.
2. One thousand, one hundred dollars ($1,100.00) for residents of the Village
plus fifteen dollars ($15.00) per mile from the point of pick up to the hospital
for advanced life support level I services.
3. One thousand, three hundred, fifty dollars ($1,350.00) for residents of the
Village plus fifteen dollars ($15.00) per mile from the point of pick up to the
hospital for advanced life support level II services.
4. Nine hundred, fifty dollars ($950.00) for non - residents plus fifteen dollars
($15.00) per mile from the point of pick up to the hospital for basic life support
services.
5. One thousand, two hundred, fifty dollars ($1,250.00) for non - residents
plus fifteen dollars ($15.00) per mile from the point of pick up to the hospital
for advanced life support level I services.
Ordinance 2010 -FD- EMS -G -937
Increasing Ambulance Fees
Page 2 of 2
6. One thousand, rive hundred dollars ($1,500.00) for non - residents plus
fifteen dollars ($15.00) per mile from the point of pick up to the hospital for
advanced life support level II services.
Section 3: That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage, approval
and publication in pamphlet form as provided bylaw.
Section 4: All ordinances or parts thereof in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance are
hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Ayes:
Nays:
Absent:
APPROVED THIS 12th day of October, 2010.
John W. Craig
Village President
PASSED THIS 12th day of October, 2010.
ATTEST:
Charlotte K. Pruss
Village Clerk
OPTION #3
ORDINANCE 2010 -FD- EMS -G -937
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 3 -2 -5A (DEPARTMENTAL FEES/
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES) OF CHAPTER 2 (FIRE DEPARTMENT)
OF TITLE 3 (PUBLIC SAFETY) OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF THE VILLAGE
OF OAK BROOK AND INCREASING FEES FOR USE OF EMERGENCY
MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE OAK BROOK FIRE DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, the Village President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Oak Brook have
heretofore passed and approved Ordinance G -833 on February 27, 2007, which revised the fees charged
upon any person receiving emergency medical service and transportation provided by the Village of Oak
Brook; and
WHEREAS, the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Oak Brook have reviewed such
fees and deemed that adjustments in such fees are necessary to more properly reimburse the Village for
the costs of providing such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
THE VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK, DU PAGE AND COOK COUNTIES, ILLINOIS as follows:
Section 1: That the provisions of the preamble hereinabove set forth are hereby adopted as
though fully set forth herein.
Section 2: That Section 3 -2 -5A of the Village Code of the Village of Oak Brook be and is hereby
amended to read as follows:
3 -2 -5: DEPARTMENTAL FEES:
A. Emergency Medical Services: As the Village, through its fire department, currently
provides emergency medical service to the Village, and the corporate authorities of the
Village deem it appropriate to impose a user charge for such service in order to defray
partially the cost to the Village of providing such service, a fee is hereby imposed upon
any person receiving emergency medical service and transportation for each use
provided by the Village as follows:
1. Eight hundred, fifty dollars ($850.00) for residents of the Village plus
sixteen dollars ($16.00) per mile from the point of pick up to the hospital for
basic life support services.
2. One thousand, four hundred dollars ($1,400.00) for residents of the Village
plus sixteen dollars ($16.00) per mile from the point of pick up to the
hospital for advanced life support level I services.
3. One thousand, eight hundred dollars ($1,800.00) for residents of the
Village plus sixteen dollars ($16.00) per mile from the point of pick up to the
hospital for advanced life support level II services.
4. One thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for non - residents plus sixteen dollars
($16.00) per mile from the point of pick up to the hospital for basic life support
services.
5. One thousand, rive hundred, fifty dollars ($1,550.00) for non - residents
plus sixteen dollars ($16.00) per mile from the point of pick up to the
hospital for advanced life support level I services.
Ordinance 2010 -FD- EMS -G -937
Increasing Ambulance Fees
Page 2 of 2
6. One thousand, nine hundred, fifty dollars ($1,950.00) for non - residents
plus sixteen dollars ($16.00) per mile from the point of pick up to the
hospital for advanced life support level II services.
Section 3: That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage, approval
and publication in pamphlet form as provided by law.
Section 4: All ordinances or parts thereof in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance are
hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Ayes:
Nays:
Absent:
APPROVED THIS 12th day of October, 2010.
John W. Craig
Village President
PASSED THIS 12th day of October, 2010.
ATTEST:
Charlotte K. Pruss
Village Clerk