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Regular City Council Meeting <br />August 25, 2003 <br />Page 9 <br />Councilman Guest wanted to know how many ambulances were owned by the <br />department. Mr. Klinkerman advised that there are seven ambulances. There <br />are three front line MICU's, one transfer truck, and one truck for out of town <br />transfers. In addition there is one backup truck and one truck in reserve. The <br />backup ambulance has the most modern equipment and there are some that do <br />not have all of the front line monitors. Mr. Klinkerman added that it is not <br />unusual to run six ambulances on an average day. <br />Mayor Fendley asked about the collections for the EMS. Mr. Klinkerman <br />advised that they are collecting about 65% to 66% of cash on the cash credits. <br />There is a certain amount that they writeoff that is required by the Federal <br />Government. They add those back in, then the collections are up in the 80's. <br />He said they do not have a choice with medicare, medicaid, workers' comp, <br />railroads, or tricare because when they file those claims, we must accept what <br />the government decides they are going to pay and the city cannot bill the <br />patient for the difference. It is an automatic writeoff. <br />Councilman Guest wanted to know the basic transfer cost. Mr. Klinkerman <br />said the basic transfer for a non-emergency transport is $220.00 and an <br />emergency transport can be from $350.00 to $450.00. It depends on what is <br />done on the patient and this is a base rate. There is also a mileage chart that <br />is used on a distance transport. Mr. Klinkerman said two or three years ago he <br />positioned the Paris EMS to have a profile in place before the new rates <br />change. If a profile is not in place, they will hold the city to the lowest <br />reimbursement. They received their structure in place first; got their history <br />and profile put in; and then when the start reimbursing they allow the lowest <br />fee but they will give the EMS the maximum amount. They will continue to <br />see mileage increase $1.05 every year until the year 2006. <br />Mayor Fendley asked what the anticipated contract with Lamar County would <br />be. Mr. Klinkerman said it is $298,000.00. He said they have a settle up <br />clause in the contract at the end of the year. <br />