City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  December 19, 2006

Item No.:        

Recommendation:  That the Common Council adopt Ordinance No. 2435 to repeal and recreate Chapter 3.40(c)(14) pertaining to ambulance service rates to begin charging for Advanced Life Support (ALS) services and rates, and to adjust the Basic Life Support (BLS) services rates.

Background:  This item was held at the December 5, 2006 meeting to make two changes that the Council requested.  Milwaukee County and their billing agent further recommended changes in the rate structure for non-transport fees for ALS service that are the same as the current practice.

The first change request was in Chapter 3.40(c)(14)(c)(1) pertaining to resident fees for BLS medical treatment and or assistance with no transport to a tiered system allowing the first 1-3 assist within one calendar year to be at no charge.  For 4 or more assists within one calendar year, then a $75.00 fee will be billed for each occurrence.

The second change the Council recommended is to Chapter 3.40(c)(14)(e) to clarify  that the paragraph refers to hazardous materials.  The words Hazardous materials were added to the beginning of the paragraph to match the other code sections in that area of the code.  No other information in this section has changed.

Milwaukee County recommended a correction to the ALS rate structure pertaining to non-transports.  Residential patients receiving ALS level treatment that does not end in a transport shall be charged $75.00 for non-invasive treatment and $350.00 for invasive treatment.  Non-residents shall be charged $125.00 for non-invasive treatment and $400.00 for invasive treatment.  These fees were endorsed by the Milwaukee County Association of Fire Chiefs and will be charged uniformly throughout all areas of the County.

Fiscal Impact:  If approved, it is anticipated the rate change will generate additional revenue to the City.

Prepared by: Brian M. Satula Fire Chief	Respectfully submitted, Patrick DeGrave City Administrator
Fiscal Review by: Beverly A. Buretta, CMC City Clerk