City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date: December 16, 2003

Item No.:         14

Recommendation:  That the Common Council adopt Ordinance No. 2285 to repeal and recreate Chapter 3.40(c)(13)a. 1 and 2 pertaining to ambulance service rates to be in effect January 1, 2004.

Background:  Our billing firm, CPR, recommended a review and to consider an increase of our current rates for ambulance service.  The proposed rate increase is in line with what other communities charge for their ambulance service.

The current rate structure is:  For all BLS conveyances:

                                                            Base Rate                   $315

                                                            plus EKG                     $25

                                                            plus Oxygen                $30

                                                            plus Consumables      $22

                                                            plus Transport             $6.50 per loaded mile

The proposed rate structure is:  For all BLS conveyances:

                                                            Base Rate                   $375

                                                            plus EKG                     $25

                                                            plus Oxygen                $35

                                                            plus Consumables      $30

                                                            plus Transport             $8 per loaded mile

The intent of the rate change is to increase our recovery from insurance payments.  CPR, Inc. allows us to set our own standards for write-off of uncollected amounts.  The intent of the policy is to collect the maximum allowable amount approved by both Medicare and any supplemental insurance.  In order not to adversely affect Medicare-eligible patients’ out-of-pocket costs, the policy will be to accept assignment from Medicare-eligible patients and write off the balance due after supplemental insurance billing has been processed.

Fiscal Impact:  If approved, it is anticipated these new fees will generate additional revenue to the City.

Prepared by: Gerard R. Hammernik Fire Chief	Respectfully submitted, Robert L. Kufrin City Administrator
Fiscal Review by: Beverly A. Buretta, CMC City Clerk

File name: S:\CLERK\COMMON COUNCIL AGENDAS\WEBSITE COMMON COUNCIL REPORT REVISED 4.Doc

Print Date: 12/8/2003 2:03 PM

Revision No. 6