Amend Chapter 9, Article 3, Entitled Ambulance/Medical User fee and Dedicated Fund

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701 ~ SAMPLE $TTtEET $OUI'H BEND, INDIANA 46601-2891 CITY OF SOUTH BEND STEPHEN J. LUECKE, MAYOR SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT LUTHER,J. TAYLOR FIRE CHIEF June 18, 2002 Common Council Roland Kelly, President County City Building South Bend, Indiana 46601 Dear Roland Kelly: PHONE 574/ 235-9255 FAx 574/235-9305 TDD 574/ 235-5567 The attached ordinance amends our current ordinance #8860-97 that was adopted by the South Bend Common Council on December 12, 1997 for user fees for ambulance service provided by the South Bend Fire Department. The proposed rates reflect the increased cost of providing service to the citizens of South Bend. Over the last four years the cost of providing service has risen due to the increases in our Collective Bargaining Agreement and in cost for supplies and equipment. The proposed rates also will be establish user fees that will conform with the new Medicare guidelines that were established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. The new Medicare guidelines establish a schedule for user fees and requires mandatory assignment for services provided effective April 1, 2002. The proposed rates include a new fee for emergency responses, mileage for rural areas, and ALS-2 services. These new changes are authorized by Medicare under the new user fee schedule. We have also eliminated the nonresident fee, but have established user fees which will reflect the nonresident fees. Presently the nonresident fee is not recognized by Medicare or insurance carriers. As in the past, the council voiced their concern as it relates to our fee impact on our senior citizens. The proposed fee structure will be minimal due to the mandatory assignment required by Medicare. Those users covered by Medicare will be responsible for 20% of the approved fee established by Medicare. Myself and A/C Rick Switalski, will be available at Council Caucus to review the proposed increase and present the bill during council. In closing we feel the adjustment in our current fees are necessary to reflect the cost of providing the service and due to the required changes by Medicare We ask that the council to look favorable to our request for increase in user fees for ambulance service for the South Bend Fire Department. ,,,_„r. Sincerely, ~~ ~~ Luther Taylor Fire Chief 'fled in Clerk's ®ffBc~ -.~ ~.~~~~ ~ ~ 2002 LORI3ITA J. t3llt?A CITY CLERK, EL>. I1LfJ~, I?~. Robert X. Quinn III HOWARD W. BUCHANON RICHARD D. SWITAISKI RANDY MAGDALINSIQ ASST. CHIEF OPERATIONS ASST. CHIEF FIRE PREVENTION ASSIST. CHIEF SERVICES ASST. CHIEF ~$