DATE: August 23, 2022
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Luchini, RN, PHN, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Third Amendment to the Agreement with K.W.P.H. Enterprises, Inc., d.b.a. American Ambulance
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Third Amendment to Agreement with K.W.P.H. Enterprises, Inc., d.b.a. American Ambulance to authorize an increase in maximum allowable user fee rates, with no change to the term of January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2027, or compensation maximum of $9,035,155.
REPORT
On June 13, 2022, American Ambulance submitted a written request to the EMS Agency Director requesting an increase to maximum allowable user fees with the justification of increasing wages for EMTs, Advanced EMTs, and paramedics. The proposed represents an increase of approximately 24%; however, the result will only be an approximately 7.9% increase in actual revenue because nearly 90% of patients transported by American Ambulance have fixed rates under Medi-Cal or Medicare, which will not increase under the recommended action. The County's agreement with American Ambulance requires that the Board of Supervisors approve any user fee adjustments proposed by American Ambulance. There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. Should your Board not approve the recommended action, American Ambulance will not be able to remain competitive for wages for EMTs and Paramedics.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The proposed Amendment only changes the user fees that American Ambulance is allowed to bill a patient. American Ambulance does not receive a subsidy from the County for the provision of ambulance services and is only funded through its user fees. Under the Agreement, the County compensates American Ambulance approximately $50,000 ...
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