Amending Chapter 9 to Address Ambulance/Medical Service Fees

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ORDINANCE NO. 10 3 63i AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 9, ARTICLE 3, OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADDRESS AMBULANCE/MEDICAL SERVICE FEES STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT Since 1981, the City of South Bend, Indiana has codified the regulation of ambulance and medical user fees into the South Bend Municipal Code. South Bend's current ambulance and medical user fees took effect on August 1, 2014 (Ordinance No. 10321 -14). The South Bend Fire Administration has regularly reported to the Common Council its ambulance service activity pursuant to Chapter 9, Section 9 -18 of the South Bend Municipal Code, and has provided its recommendation regarding adjustment of user fees. The Fire Chief's most recent report was submitted to the South Bend Common Council on June 1, 2015. Based on its survey of these fees and charges, and due to increased costs to the City for personnel training and necessary medical supplies, it is recommended that ambulance and medical user fees be adjusted consistent with the 2015 Medicare Fee Schedule. To fully recover the costs and expenses of the Fire Department paramedic branch in providing ambulance and emergency medical services, a modest adjustment is required of the current rates. Specifically, a new rate is appropriate for Specialized Care Transports applied to transports made by Memorial Hospital's neo -natal transport units. It is further recommended by the Fire Administration that hereafter the South Bend Fire Chief be authorized to adjust these user fees once annually and automatically by the same percentage rate as any adjustments made to the Medicare Fee Schedule rates, with notice to the City Clerk after which such new rates will take effect. These changes are reasonable, appropriate, and in the best interests of the City of South Bend. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: Section I. Chapter 9, Article 3, Section 9 -16 of the South Bend Municipal Code shall be amended to read in its entirety as follows: Sec. 9 -16. Ambulance /medical user fee -- Established. (a) The following user fee schedule shall be charged for all ambulance /medical services provided by the City through its paramedic branch of the Fire Department: