Number
061539
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. DONOVAN
Title
A substitute ordinance relating to ambulance conveyance rates and ancillary charges for services rendered by certified private ambulance companies.
Sections
75-15-14 rc
75-15-15 rc
75-15-16 rc
Analysis
This substitute ordinance increases the amount charged for both basic life support and basic life support - Emergency private ambulance conveyances for 2 categories of patients established by the code, namely residents and non-residents. The increases are as follows:
1. For residents, from $396 to $410.
2. For non-residents, from $458 to $474.
In addition, this ordinance establishes a private ambulance basic life support treatment without transport fee for 2 categories of patients, namely residents and non-residents as follows:
1. For residents, $75.
2. For non-residents, $125.
This ordinance also increases the ancillary charges by 15% billed by private ambulances with the exception of oxygen and defibrillation supplies, which are equal to the advanced life support charges. These charges were last increased in 1999.
An ancillary charge for drugs, as allowed by the state of Wisconsin emergency medical technician basic scope of practice and approved by the Milwaukee county council on emergency medical services, has been added.
In addition, this ordinance increases the amount charged for mileage for private ambulances from $11.75 per mile to $12.00 per mile.
Finally, when the conveyances are made under the terms of the private provider interfacility unit protocol, this ordinance permits private ambulance companies to charge patients receiving advanced life support care and transport the same rates charged by the fire department.
Body
The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:
Part 1. Section 75-15-14 to 16 of the code is repealed and recreated to read:
75-15. Ambulance Certification Regulations.
14. DETERMINING RATES BILLED BY PRIVATE SECTOR PROVIDERS. a. The commissioner of health annually shall review and report to the common council by April 1 with respect to the ambulance conveyance rate established under par. c and recommend, if appropriate, an adjustment in the conveyance rate.
b. Upon request, the legislative reference bureau shall provide the commissioner with information from health-related cost indexes, including the medical care component of the Milwaukee consumer price index issued by the U.S. bureau of labor statistics.
c. The rate charged for conveyance shall be as follows:
c-1. For patients who are residents of the city of Milwaukee, for basic life support, $410 and, for basic life support - emergency, $410. When patients require treatment without transport, a $75 basic life support non-transport fee applies.
c-2. For patients who are not residents of the city of Milwaukee, for basic life support, $474 and, for basic life support - emergency, $474. When patients require treatment without transport, a $125 basic life support non-transport fee applies.
c-3. In addition to the charges provided in subds. c-1 and 2, a charge of $12 per mile shall be assessed for mileage, mileage to be defined as the distance traveled with the patient in the ambulance from the point of patient origin to destination.
d. In those instances where a certified ambulance provider has a contract with any health maintenance organization with respect to establishment of fees for ambulance services for persons insured through the organization, the fees established in the contract shall take precedence over those in par. c and sub. 15 and the provider shall charge only those fees established in the contract.
15. BASIC LIFE SUPPORT ANCILLARY CHARGES BILLED BY PRIVATE SECTOR PROVIDERS. Pursuant to sub. 12-s, certified ambulance providers are authorized to charge the following basic life support ancillary charges:
a. Airway
a-1. Oropharyngeal $1.94
a-2. Nasopharyngeal 7.68
b. Bag mask ventilator, adult or pediatric 38.42
c. Bandaging
c-1. Trauma dressing 4.58
c-2. Kling 4" 1.96
c-3. 5/9" dressing 0.47
d. Blanket 8.92
e. Burn sheet 9.23
f. Cervical collar 26.31
g. Cold pack 1.76
h. Combi-tube/intubation charge 65.00
i. Defibrillation supplies 85.00
j. Electrodes 2.33
k. Gloves 1.86
L. Head immobilizer 15.44
m. Hot pack 2.05
n. KED strap 23.21
o. Laryngoscope blades 7.37
p. Linens 5.69
q. OB kit with silver swaddler 22.83
r. Oxygen and supplies 75.00
s. Personal protective equipment
s-1. Gown 4.58
s-2. Goggles 9.23
t. Prosplints
t-1. Full arm, large 23.45
t-2. Full arm, small 22.67
t-3. Combo 31.36
t-4. Full leg, large 49.21
t-5. Full leg, small 42.30
t-6. Waist and forearm 14.12
u. Pocket mask 20.18
v. Resuscitation bag & mask 38.42
w. Splints
w-1. 12" 3.50
w-2. 18" 5.20
w-3. 24" 6.99
w-a. Sterile saline or water 3.47
w-b. Suction
w-b-1. Canister 5.82
w-b-2. Suction tip 2.71
w-b-3. Tubing 3.02
x. Drug charges: drugs allowed by the state of Wisconsin emergency medical technician basic scope of practice and approved by the Milwaukee county council on emergency medical services, shall be charged at the same rates established under sub. 17-d.
16. CHARGES FOR ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT PATIENT SERVICES DELIVERED BY PRIVATE PROVIDERS. Whenever a certified ambulance provider performs an advanced life support conveyance under the terms of the private provider interfacility unit protocol, the provider is authorized to charge the same rates as established for the fire department, pursuant to sub. 17-a and b. When performing an advanced life support, certified ambulance providers are authorized to charge the same ancillary charges established for the fire department under sub. 17-c and d. These charges shall in no way be construed so as to circumvent the role of the fire department as the designated responder to advanced life support service calls.
LRB
APPROVED AS TO FORM
_________________________
Legislative Reference Bureau
Date:_____________________
Attorney
IT IS OUR OPINION THAT THE ORDINANCE
IS LEGAL AND ENFOCEABLE
________________________
Office of the City Attorney
Date:____________________
Requestor
Drafter
LRB07108-4
EJS
4/26/2007