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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 ORDINANCE NO. 2016 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING A PART 9 TO CHAPTER 1 OF ARTICLE III ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES AND AUTHORIZING CHARGES FOR A VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SUBSCRIPTION PROGRAM WITHIN THE CITY OF ARCADIA THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE AND ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That the Arcadia Municipal Code, is hereby amended by adding a Part 9 to Chapter I of Article III entitled " Voluntary Emergency Medical Subscription Program" to read as follows: PART 9 VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SUBSCRIPTION PROGRAM SECTIONS: 3170. 3170.1 3170.2 3170.3 3170.4 3170.5 3170.6 3170.6.1 3170.7 3170.8 3170.9 3170.9.1 3170.9.2 Purpose Definitions Administration Eligibility Enrollment Subscriber Benefits Authorization of Fees Third Party Reimbursement Implementation Exemptions Duty to Respond Abuse of Membership Program Termination 3170. PURPOSE. It is the intent of this Section to reduce life loss and disability by implementing a program which provides funding for paramedic training, equipment repair, replacement and maintenance, and other additional expenses necessary to maintain and enhance the current level of service, while continuing to maintain or improve response time standards. A fee for service and voluntary subscription program is recommended to meet these goals by offering a mechanism for both Arcadia residents and businesses to cap their paramedic and ambulance transportation costs, while supporting the continued expansion and improvement of equipment and 1 service the City's paramedic program provides. 3170.1 DEFINITIONS. Unless a different meaning is apparent from the context or is specified elsewhere in these guidelines, the following definitions shall be used: (a) Emergency Medical Subscription Program: A voluntary membership plan where its members shall prepay at a fixed price, the uninsured portion of emergency medical and ambulance services provided by the Arcadia Fire Department. (b) Member: Residents of Arcadia households, commercial residents and their employees, who have registered with the City and prepaid the voluntary membership fee. (c) Basic Life Support (BLS): Any BLS treatment which is authorized by the State of California Department of Health to be performed by Emergency Medical Technicians I (EMT-I) and/or paramedics (EMT-P) at the scene of a medical emergency. (d) Advanced Life Support (ALS): Any ALS medical treatment performed by paramedics (EMT-P) outside of a hospital. (e) Ambulance: The Arcadia Fire Department Rescue units and/or designated ambulance companies contracted for service. 3170.2 ADMINISTRATION. The Fire Chief or designee shall be responsible for the implementation and administration of the Voluntary Emergency Medical Subscription Program. The Fire Chief shall report on a yearly basis to the City Manager and City Council on the status of the Voluntary Emergency Medical Subscription Program. The report shall include a fmancial statement which sets forth the Program's fmancial status. 3170.3 ELIGmILITY. The Voluntary Emergency Medical Subscription Program is open to all residents and commercial residents (businesses) located in the City of Arcadia. Payment of the voluntary subscription fee by households shall entitle membership to permanent residents of that household, related or not. Subscription fees paid by businesses entitle membership to employees only. Guests, customers, patrons, visitors or others using the facilities of such households and businesses shall be charged directly for paramedic and ambulance services. 3170.4 ENROLLMENT. Each resident and commercial resident of the City will have the opportunity to join the Program annually during an enrollment period designated by the Fire Chief. 2 2016 (1) Residents receIVIng a utility billing from the City will have the option of automatic enrollment in the Emergency Medical Subscription Program if they signify approval on the City water billing. They may terminate membership at any time by indicating this in the appropriate location on the water bill. (2) Households and businesses not receIVIng a utility bill may enroll by submitting an application during the enrollment period. Each of these groups will receive an application through the mail or can obtain one at various City facilities. Both households not receiving a utility bill and businesses have the option of paying the subscription fee one time annually or bi-annually. (3) Residents and businesses declining membership during the initial enrollment period will be eligible to join the Program during the remainder of the subscription year upon payment of the full annual fee plus a processing charge. Coverage under the Subscription Program shall not predate the actual enrollment date. (4) Residents and businesses who leave the City prior to the end of the subscription year, shall not be eligible for a refund of any portion of the total fee. (5) Subject to sub-section 1, new residents with individual water meters have the option to be automatically enrolled and can terminate membership at any time by signifying this in the appropriate location on the water bill. New residents with non-metered units and new businesses must contact the Fire Department within 60 days of moving to the City to join the Program at the basic enrollment fee. If the Fire Department is not contacted within 60 days, the enrollment fee plus a processing charge will be required. (6) Subscribers who move within the City limits during the subscription year, will not be required to pay an additional fee, but must submit a change of address to the Fire Department. (7) An owner of an apartment, retirement home" or other multi-family complex, has the option to pay the subscription fee for the tenants. 3170.5 SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS. Subscribers shall receive the following benefits by joining the voluntary membership program: 3 2016 (1) Prepayment a. b. c. d. of the uninsured portion of: BLS charges ALS charges Emergency Ambulance transport Additional member benefits may be added at the Fire Chief's discretion, subject to City Manager approval. The Voluntary Emergency Medical Subscription Program only covers emergencies that occur within City limits. Employees of businesses that are subscribers are only covered for emergencies at the job site. 3170.6 AUTHORIZATION OF FEES. Basic and Advanced Life Support non- transport fees to non-residents , and Basic and Advanced Life Support ambulance transportation fees are hereby authorized and shall be charged in connection with emergency medical care and ambulance services provided the Arcadia Fire Department. The amount of such fees shall be set periodically by resolution of the City Council. There shall be two categories of fees as follows: I. The" Fee for Services " shall be a user fee designed to recover costs associated with the delivery of emergency medical care and ambulance transportation services. Such fees shall be based on: (a) Emergencies requiring Basic Life Support Services (BLS) and (b) Emergencies requiring Advanced Life Support Services (ALS) ; and (c) Emergencies requiring ambulance transportation. 2. The "Voluntary Emergency Medical Subscription Program" fee shall be a membership offered to Arcadia residents of that household, related or not. Fees paid by businesses entitle membership to employees only. Guests, customers, patrons, and visitors or others using the facilities of such households and businesses shall be charged directly for paramedic and ambulance transportation services. 3170.6.1 THIRD PARTY REIMBURSEMENT. The City reserves the right to seek from a members' insurer, health maintenance organization, or health care plan, reimbursement for emergency paramedic and ambulance transportation services; provided, however, that a melpber in good standing would not incur or be held responsible for any fees resulting from the services rendered to the member or others covered under their subscription. 4 2016 3170.7 IMPLEMENTATION. Implementation of user fees for paramedic services and the Voluntary Emergency Medical Subscription Program shall begin August 19, 1994. The Fire Chief or designee shall be authorized to administer the Voluntary Emergency Medical Subscription Fee Program beginning (30) thirty days after the adoption of this ordinance. 3170.8 EXEMPTION AND REDUCTION OF CHARGES. Determination for an exemption or reduction of " Fees for Services " or the " Voluntary Subscription Fee " by individuals claiming a hardship shall be based on guidelines established by resolution of the City Council. 3170.9 DUTY TO RESPOND. Under no circumstances will the delivery of emergency medical service and ambulance transportation be delayed or refused on the basis of whether the injured party is a member of the voluntary subscription program; or on the basis of perception of or actual ability to pay. Membership in the program does not create a guarantee or duty to respond, or create performance requirements that differ or in any way alter the usual and customary emergency response function and duties of the City. 3170.9.1 ABUSE OF MEMBERSHIP. Where a member or a person covered under the subscription program persistently utilizes, or attempts to utilize, the Voluntary Emergency Medical Subscription Program in an inappropriate manner, as deemed by the Fire Chief, the City retains the right to refund to the member the equivalent of a (1) one year membership fee, or the paid portion of a (1) one year membership fee, and to declare the member's membership in the program cancelled. In cases of a dispute, the Fire Chief's judgement would be binding on all parties to such a dispute. 3170.9.2 PROGRAM TERMINATION. The Voluntary Emergency Medical Subscription Program may be cancelled by a majority vote of the Arcadia City Council. If the Council chooses to terminate the program prior to the new program year, the City may, at its option, refund the subscription fees back to the Voluntary Emergency Medical Subscription Program members on a prorated basis. The City shall be obligated to provide (30) thirty days written notice to all members prior to program termination. 5 2016 SECTION 2 . That the City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same to be published in the official newspaper of the City of Aracdia within fifteen (15) days after its adoption. Passed, approved and adopted this lltl1 day of July 1994. 7?2,a4~ 4,~ ayor f the Cit of Arca . ATTEST: ~" ~~ ~-~ 'ty Clerk of th ity o'f)Arcadia APPROVED AS TO FORM: !JJ#.. )/Jf)N Micliael H. Miller City Attorney 6 2016 STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS: CITY OF ARCADIA ) I, JUNE D. ALFORD, City Clerk of the City of Arcadia, hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. 2016 was passed and adopted by the City council of the City of Arcadia, signed by the Mayor and attested to by the City Clerk at a regular meeting of ~ said Council held on the 19th day of July, 1994 and that said Ordinance was adopted by the following vote, to wit: AYES: Councilmember Chang, Kuhn, Lojeski, Margett and Young NOES: None ABSENT: None J f Arcadia 2016