DATE: July 11, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Pomaville, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Retroactive Agreement for Paramedic Ambulance Services with the City of Coalinga
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Agreement with the City of Coalinga, for paramedic ambulance services, effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019 ($90,000).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will continue paramedic ambulance services in the Fresno County Ambulance Zone C, Coalinga Response Area, which encompasses the City of Coalinga and the surrounding area. The recommended agreement satisfies the requirement of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations (Title 22) that the County to have a written agreement with paramedic provider agencies. The services will be funded with Health Realignment, with no increase in Net County Cost.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. Should the Board not approve the recommended action, the existing agreement would expire and the County would be in violation of State regulations until an agreement for paramedic ambulance services is established.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2017 due to extended negotiations and delays related to the City’s approval process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum amount of the recommended agreement is $90,000, which includes $45,000 for FY 2017-18 and FY 2018-19. The recommended agreement will be fully offset with Health Realignment funds. Sufficient appropriations will be included in the Department of Public Health Org 5620 FY 2017-18 Recommended Budget and in the FY 2018-19 budget request.
DISCUSSION:
Since 1978, the County has provided monthly payments to local rural ambulance service providers for estimated uncompensated care, based upon supporting prior year documentation from the agencies. The proposed agreement will continue this reimbursement process.
California Emergency Medical Services Authority regulations require the Department to review contracts with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers every two years, except when an exclusive operating area has been designed. Approval of the recommended agreement will provide continued paramedic ambulance service in Fresno County Ambulance Zone C, Coalinga Response Area. The City of Coalinga is the only provider of paramedic ambulance services in the area on a non-exclusive basis; therefore, does not restrict the County from contracting with other providers for the same or similar services. The proposed agreement continues the existing response and performance requirements.
In 2016, the City of Coalinga responded to 2,707 requests for service and performed 2,159 transports.
With your Board’s approval, the County will continue the contract with the City of Coalinga for paramedic ambulance services in Fresno County Ambulance Zone C, Coalinga Response Area. The recommended agreement contains a mutual indemnification clause. In addition, either of the parties can terminate contract without cause upon 90-day written notice, and parties can terminate for cause with a 10-day advance notice with an opportunity to cure. In the event of an act of god, act of public enemy, or other extraordinary cause not reasonably within the control of either party, the proposed agreement has a force majeure clause that excuses the parties’ performance under the contract. The recommended agreement satisfies the requirement of Title 22 for a written agreement with local paramedic provider agencies. The recommended agreement term deviates from the County standard agreement term of a three-year base contract with two optional one-year extensions due to California Emergency Medical Services Authority regulations requiring contracts with EMS providers to be reviewed every two years.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #65, June 16, 2015 - Agt. No. 15-271
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with City of Coalinga
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia De La Rosa