05-B Recognizing ALS-Level - Laserfiche WebLink

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AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET PROJECT: Consider an ordinance recognizing the current level of ambulance service provided by the Paris EMS System as the Advanced Life Support (ALS) level of service, and amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Paris to add a new Sec. 2-99 to require a continuation of Advanced Life Support (ALS) as the level of service to be provided in the future by the Paris EMS System. BACKGROUND: The Federal Balanced Budget Act of 1997 required a reduction in the amount of money spent by the Medicare program (Center far Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS)). The plan as to how ambulance services will be paid was finalized and published in the Federal Register on February 27, 2002, with the new reduced fee schedule becoming effective on April 1, 2002. CMS will phase in the new schedule at twenty percent (20%) per year over five (5) years, and this phase-in period will use a blend of the current payment policy with the new payment rules DESCRIPTION: Paris EMS has provided ambulance service at the Advanced Life Support (ALS) to the citizens ofParis and Lamar County since November 1982. Advanced Life Support (ALS) includes treatment such as intravenous lines (IV), endotracheal intubation, medication administration, and cardiac pacing and cardioversion. The City of Paris needs to recognize this long-standing level of inedical care provided in the form of an ordinance in order to minimize the negative financial impact of the new Medicare fee schedule. This ordinance will not modify or impact how medical care is delivered to patients, it will merely recognize the level of care that has been delivered to the patients of Paris EMS since 1982 and require the continuation of such level of care. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adoption of the proposed ordinance. STAFF CONTACT: Kent Klinkerman, EMS Director, and Larry W. Schenk, City Attorney COST: If the City does not adopt the proposed ordinance requiring ALS-level services to be provided, Medicare will provide reimbursement to the City at the BLS-level, resulting in estimated losses of approximately $50,000.00 annually, conservatively stated. SCHEDULE: The rule is scheduled to become effective on April 1, 2002. COUNCIL DATE: Consider for approval at City Council's March 11, 2002, regular Council meeting. ADDITIONAL MATERIALS: See enclosed ordinance and other supporting documentation.