5. Resolution 5313 - Fire and Ambulance Response FeesKALISPELL
FIRE DEPARTMENT
PO Box 1997
Daniel Diehl -- Assistant Chief/Operations
312 First Avenue East
DC Haas — Assistant Chief/Prevention
Kalispell, Montana 59901
Phone: (406) 758-7760
FAX: (406) 758-7952
September 15, 2008
TO: Mayor Kennedy and City Council Members
FROM: Dan Diehl, Acting Fire Chief
Jim. Patrick, City Manager
RE: Resolution 5313
The Kalispell Fire Department, at the request of City Council, propose Resolution. 5313 to add a Fire
Engine response fee of $250 for each motor vehicle accident in the City of Kalispell and add an
Ambulance response fee of $200 for each response outside the City of Kalispell. City of Kalispell
residents will be exempt from being charged the ambulance response fee.
The City of Kalispell Fire Department will also bill for medical supplies when permitted by the
patient's insurance.
The City of Kalispell Fire Department will utilize a contract EMS billing service to bill Fire Engine
and Ambulance response fees. The contractor will also file appeals for denials of payment, do
delinquent account collections, provide back up for billing personnel and documentation training for
Paramedics.
Dan Diehl
Acting Fire Chief
h�n Patrick
City Manager
"Assisting our community in reducing, preventing, and mitigating emergencies. "
RESOLUTION NO, 5313
A RESOLUTION SE'T`TING A FEE FOR FIRE ENGINE RESPONSE TO MOTOR VEHICLE
ACCIDENTS AND FOR AMBULANCE RESPONSE OUTSIDE THE CITY OF KALISPELL,
AMENDING RESOLUTION NO, 5204 TO INCLUDE REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENDED
MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AUTHORIZING THE USE OF CONTRACT BILLING SERVICES
FOR FIRE ENGINE AND AMBULANCE RESPONSE PEES AND DECLARING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Kalispell maintains an ambulance service through its fire department; and
WHEREAS, the City of Kalispell Fire Department employs the common practice of deploying a fire
engine to motor vehicle accidents for purposes of responding to the fire risk and cleanup
of spilled and hazardous fuel and other fluids; and
WHEREAS, it is fiscally prudent and advisable to charge a fee for the fire engine response to motor
vehicle accidents and many insurance contracts recognize and pay for such service; and
WHEREAS, the City of Kalispell does not currently charge a separate fee for its ambulance services
provided outside of the City to customers who are not city residents; and
WHEREAS, it is fiscally prudent and advisable to charge a fee for City of Kalispell ambulance
services provided outside of the City to customers who are not city residents; and
WHEREAS, it is fiscally prudent and advisable to charge a fee for medical supplies expended as a
part of the ambulance services to its customers as these expenses are also generally
recognized and paid for under medical insurance contracts; and
WHEREAS, the Kalispell City Council passed Resolution No. 5204 on May 21't, 2007, which set the
current Kalispell Ambulance Service rates; and
WHEREAS, it will be cost effective to utilize a contract EMS billing service to bill and collect for
Fire Engine and Ambulance response fees and such contract service should be
employed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY of KALIS PELL
AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. That Resolution No. 5204 is hereby amended by adding the costs of expended
medical supplies to the existing rates of the Kalispell Ambulance Service as set
forth in Exhibit "A" attached hereto and incorporated fully herein by this
reference.
SECTION II. A fee in the amount of $250.00 shall be assessed to all customers for whom a
Kalispell City fire engine response is made as a result of a motor vehicle
accident.
SECTION III. A fee in the amount of $200.00 shall be assessed to customers for whore a
Kalispell City Ambulance responds outside of the City of Kalispell. City of
Kalispell residents shall be exempt from this charge.
SECTION Iy. The City of Kalispell Fire Department is hereby authorized to utilize a contract
for EMS billing service to bill and collect Fire Engine and Ambulance response
fees.
SECTIONV. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage by the City
Council.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND SIGNED BY THE MAYOR OF THE
CITY OF KALISPELL, THIS 15TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2008.
Pamela B. Kennedy
Mayor
ATTEST:
Theresa white
City Clerk
EXHIBIT "'A"
Rate
Basic Life Support, Non -Emergency
Base Rate $ 283.50
Loaded Mile Rate 9.88
Basic Life Support, Emergency
Base Rate 627.33
Loaded Mile Rate 9.88
Advanced Fife Support, Non -Emergency
Base Rate 367.95
Loaded Mile Rate 9.88
.Advanced Life Support I
Base Rate 779.72
Loaded Tie Rate 9.88
Advanced Life Support 2
Base Rate 1,032.31
Loaded Nine Rate 9.88
Upended Medical Supplies -- submitted to Insurance Companies