Part 7 — EMERGENCY MEDICAL AND AMBULANCE TRANSPORT SERVICES

3170. • AUTHORIZATION OF FEES.

Fees for emergency paramedic and ambulance services are authorized and subject to be charged for basic and advanced life support services provided by the Fire Department within the City. The amount of such fees shall be set periodically by resolution of the City Council.

The "fee for services" shall be a user fee designed to recover costs associated with the delivery of emergency medical care and ambulance transport services. Such fees shall be based upon: emergencies requiring basic life support service ("BLS"); emergencies requiring advanced life support services ("ALS"); and emergencies requiring ALS and/or BLS ambulance transportation.

Patients in the City of Arcadia shall pay a fee for receipt of the following services:

a.

Basic life support paramedic services (EMS Assessment);

b.

Advanced life support paramedic services (EMS Assessment); and/or

c.

Basic and advanced life support paramedic and transport services.

Fees for the City's voluntary Paramedic Membership Program are authorized and shall be charged for enrollment in this program. The membership period for which the fee is charged is twelve (12) months from the date of enrollment. The amount of the annual membership fee for this program shall be set periodically by resolution of the City Council.

The Paramedic Membership Program is a membership program offered to Arcadia residents and businesses, protecting permanent household members (related or not) and employees of businesses within the City of Arcadia. This program is offered to residents and businesses within the incorporated area of Arcadia. Fees paid by businesses entitle membership to owners and employees only. Guests, customers, patrons, and visitors or others using the facilities of such households and businesses shall be charged directly for emergency paramedic and ambulance transportation services.

(Ord. No. 2321, § 1, 11-18-2014)

It is the intent of this Part to reduce loss of life and disability by implementing a program which provides funding for paramedic training, equipment repair, replacement and maintenance, and other additional expenses necessary to maintain and enhance the current level of service, while continuing to maintain or improve response time standards. A fee for service and a paramedic membership program are recommended to meet these goals by offering a mechanism for both Arcadia residents and businesses to limit their paramedic and ambulance transport costs, while supplementing the continued expansion and improvement of equipment and service the City's paramedic program provides.

Unless a different meaning is apparent from the context or is specified elsewhere in these guidelines, the following definitions shall be used:

(a)

"Advanced life support (ALS)" means any ALS medical treatment performed by paramedics (EMT-P) outside of a hospital.

(b)

"Ambulance" means the Arcadia Fire Department Rescue units and/or designated ambulance companies contracted for service.

(c)

"Basic life support (BLS)" means any BLS treatment which is authorized by the State of California Department of Health to be performed by emergency medical technicians (EMT-1) and/or paramedics (EMT-P) at the scene of a medical emergency.

(d)

"Paramedic membership program" means a voluntary membership plan where its members shall pre-pay, at a fixed price, the uninsured portion of emergency medical and ambulance services provided by the Arcadia Fire Department.

(e)

"Member" means residents of households within the incorporated area of Arcadia and commercial residents (businesses) within the incorporated area of Arcadia, and their owners and employees, who have registered with the City and pre-paid the voluntary membership fee.

The Fire Chief or designee shall be responsible for the implementation and administration of the paramedic membership program. The Fire Chief shall report on a yearly basis to the City Manager and City Council on the status of the paramedic membership program. The report shall include a financial statement which sets forth the program's financial status.

The Paramedic Membership Program is open to all residents and commercial residents (businesses) located in the incorporated area of the City of Arcadia. Payment of the voluntary membership fee by households shall entitle membership to permanent residents of that household, related or not. Membership fees paid by businesses shall entitle membership to owners and employees only. Guests, customers, patrons, visitors or others using the facilities of business memberships shall be charged directly for paramedic and ambulance services. All City employees, volunteers, elected officials, or any individuals deemed qualified by the City Manager or his or her designee are considered enrolled in the Paramedic Membership Program should they utilize paramedic and ambulance services provided by Arcadia Fire Department while conducting City business.

(Ord. No. 2321, § 2, 11-18-2014)

Each resident and commercial resident (business) of the City has the opportunity to enroll in the program at any time during the calendar year.

(1)

Residents receiving a utility billing from the City will have the option of automatic enrollment in the paramedic membership program if they signify approval on the City water billing. Membership may be terminated at any time by notifying the City in writing.

(2)

Households and businesses not receiving an Arcadia utility bill may enroll by completing and submitting to the City an enrollment form at any time during the year. Each of these groups will receive enrollment forms via the mail or may obtain one at various City facilities. Households not receiving a utility bill and businesses have the option of paying the subscription fee one time annually or bi-monthly.

(3)

Residents and businesses declining membership are eligible to enroll in the program anytime during the calendar year. Coverage under the paramedic membership program shall not predate the actual enrollment date.

(4)

Residents and businesses who leave the City prior to the end of the coverage period shall not be eligible for a refund of any portion of the total fee.

(5)

Existing members who move within the City limits during the coverage period will not be required to pay an additional fee, but must submit a change of address to the Fire Department to ensure coverage is transferred to the new address.

(6)

An owner of an apartment, retirement home or other multifamily complex has the option to pay the membership fee for each of its tenants.

Members shall receive the following benefits by enrolling in the Paramedic Membership Program:

Prepayment of the uninsured portion of:

(1)

BLS paramedic charges;

(2)

ALS paramedic charges;

(3)

Emergency ambulance transportation; and

(4)

Any additional member benefits added at the Fire Chief's discretion, subject to City Manager approval.

The Paramedic Membership Program only applies to emergencies that occur within the City limits. Employees and owners of businesses that are members are covered for emergencies at any location within the City of Arcadia.

(Ord. No. 2321, § 3, 11-18-2014)

The City reserves the right to seek from a member's insurer, health maintenance organization or health care plan, reimbursement for emergency paramedic and ambulance transportation services; provided, however, that a member in good standing would not incur or be held responsible for any fees resulting from the services rendered to the members or others covered under their membership.

Implementation of user fees for paramedic services and the paramedic membership program shall begin August 19, 1994. The Fire Chief or designee shall be authorized to administer the paramedic membership program, beginning thirty (30) days after its adoption.

Determination for an exemption or reduction of fees for services or of the membership fee to be paid by individuals claiming a hardship shall be made by the City Manager or his or her designee, in his or her sole and absolute discretion, and shall be based on guidelines established by resolution of the City Council.

Under no circumstances will the delivery of emergency medical service and ambulance transportation be delayed or refused on the basis of whether the injured party is a member of the paramedic membership program, or on the basis of, or perception of, actual ability to pay. Membership in the program does not create a guarantee or duty to respond, or create performance requirements that differ or in any way alter the usual and customary emergency response function and duties of the City.

Where a member or a person covered under the membership program repeatedly utilizes, or attempts to utilize, the paramedic membership program in an inappropriate manner, as determined by the Fire Chief in his or her sole and absolute discretion, the City retains the right to declare the member's membership in the program cancelled. In this event, the City will refund to the member the prorated portion of the one (1) year membership fee applicable to the remaining period of membership for which the member has made payment. In cases of a dispute, the Fire Chief's determination shall be binding on all parties to such a dispute.

The paramedic membership program may be terminated at any time by the City Council. If the City Council terminates the program, the City shall refund to program members a prorated portion of their one (1) year membership fee applicable to the remaining period of membership for which the member has made payment. The City shall provide at least thirty (30) days' written notice to all members prior to program termination.

(Former Part 7 repealed and new Part 7 added by Ord. 2202 adopted 1-4-05)

(Chapter 1 repealed and new Chapter 1, Parts 1 through 8, added by Ord. 1970 adopted 7-7-92. Chapter 1, Parts 1 through 8, repealed and new Chapter 1, Parts 1 through 8, added by Ord. 2042 adopted 12-5-95. Chapter 1, Parts 1 through 9 repealed and new Chapter 1, Parts 1 through 9, added by Ord. 2154 adopted 12-18-01. Chapter 1, Parts 1 through 9 repealed and new Chapter 1, Parts 1 through 7 added by Ord. 2166 adopted 11-5-02)