26-19 Amending Ordinance to Address Ambulance/Medical Fees

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::-- p3TH, � r I222 S.MICHIGAN STREET 1 V d j PHONE 574' 23 5-925 5 SOUTH BEND,INDIANA 46601-2821 Fax 574 235-9305 41 1865 CITY OF SOUTH BEND PETE BUTTIGIEG,MAYOR SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT STEPHEN F. Cox FIRE CHIEF Filed in Clerk's Office July 30, 2019 AUG 05 2019 President Tim Scott 1G REE,o,ql•f FOWLER South Bend Common Council CITY CLERK,SOUTH BEND, IN Suite 441 S County-City Building South bend,IN 46601 President Scott, I am respectfully requesting the South Bend Common Council consider my recommendation to increase the Ambulance User Fees charged by the South Bend Fire Department.As required by The South Bend Municipal Code, Chapter 9,Article 3, Section 9-18, I have provided the required 2019 Annual Review of User Fees with the recommendation for an increase that reflects the increase in reimbursement amounts allowed by Medicare.These amounts are current to this year.As I have stated in the past, Medicare typically adjusts this reimbursement allowance at least annually,which usually includes an increase in the rate of reimbursement. If adjustments are not made to our user fees periodically,we are unable to take advantage of Medicare's reimbursement increases. This ordinance also includes a provision for self-effectuating annual fee increases based on Medicare or similar federal or state annual rate adjustments. I recommend adoption of this self- effectuating provision because Medicare and similar rates provide a reliable,pre-approved standard for reasonableness and relationship of cost to service.Additionally,there is a provision to recover fees for services provided by a paramedic intercept vehicle.The SBFD recently put into service a paramedic intercept concept by which a lead paramedic is called to provide advanced life support services to the most critical patients. I appreciate your consideration in this matter. I look forward to presenting the ordinance to Council at your committee and regular meetings. Sincerely, St phe F. Cox Fire Chief UA MICHAEL J.DAMIANO TODD L.SKWARCAN ANDREW J.MYER JOHN COIYTHIER FEDERICO RODRIGUEZ,JR ASST.CHIEF OPERATIONS ASST.CHIEF SERVICES ASST.CHIEF EMS ASST.CHIEF TRAINING FIRE MARSHAL.