Rocklin Municipal Code Ch. 3.36 Medical Emergency First Responder Services

The purpose of this chapter is to establish a fee related to the cost of providing medical emergency first responder services.

(Ord. No. 1126, § 3, 6-9-2020)

A. For each emergency incident where the city provides medical first responder services and the recipient is transported to a hospital, the city may charge a first responder fee to the recipient of the services. The city council shall establish the amount of the first responder fee by resolution. The cost charged under this chapter shall be calculated using the cost reasonably borne to provide the service determined under Chapter 3.32.

B. The fee charged shall be deemed a debt to the city of the recipient, or in the case of a minor, of his or her parent or legal guardian. Any person owing money shall be liable in an action brought in the name of the city for recovery of such amount, including reasonable attorney fees.

(Ord. No. 1126, § 3, 6-9-2020)

A. The fire chief, or designee, will develop policies and procedures for the administration and collection of the first responder fee.

B. The policies and procedures will include discharging accounts that are not collectible, and will include a process for contesting an invoice issued under this chapter. If an invoice is contested, the fire chief, or his or her designee, may grant a reduction or waiver of the fee where the level of response or services provided do not justify application of the charges incurred.

C. The policies and procedures will require the city to bill the recipient and the insurer, if any, for payment of the first responder fee. In the case of a minor, the city will bill the parent or guardian of the recipient who received the services and the insurer, if any.

D. The fire chief, or designee, may establish a compassionate billing policy. Such policy will allow a reduction or waiver of the first responder fee due to a demonstrated financial hardship, and may include a payment plan. A determination of a financial hardship shall be based on the most recent Federal Poverty Level chart provided by the department of health and human services. The policy will allow the city to accept payment from insurer(s) as the full payment for the recipient's fee obligation, based upon the recipient's financial hardship. In addition, should the fire chief or designee become aware that a recipient is deceased, the city will not pursue recovery of the first responder fee.

E. The fire chief, or designee, may delegate some or all of the tasks required for the administration of the first responder fee.

(Ord. No. 1126, § 3, 6-9-2020)

For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:

A. "Fire chief" means the chief of the city of Rocklin Fire Department or his or her designee.

B. "First responder fee" means the fee established pursuant to this chapter and charged to each person to whom the city provides medical emergency first responder services to recover the costs for providing such services. This fee is a separate billable item than an ambulance transport fee.

C. "Insurer" means the recipient's medical insurance provider, including a state or federal public health insurance program, or automobile insurer.

D. "Recipient" means the person to whom the city provides medical emergency first responder services and is transported to a hospital.

E. "Services" means medical emergency first responder services, including medical assessment provided by first responders on emergency medical calls, automobile collisions with injuries, or other such injuries.

(Ord. No. 1126, § 3, 6-9-2020)

This chapter neither expands nor limits the city's provision of medical emergency first responder services. Services will be provided without regard to whether a person is insured, has the ability to pay the first responder fee, or has or has not paid the fee in the past.

(Ord. No. 1126, § 3, 6-9-2020)

This chapter does not preclude the city from recovering its emergency response costs in any other manner authorized by law.

(Ord. No. 1126, § 3, 6-9-2020)