Chapter 4.39
FIRE BASIC LIFE SUPPORT TRANSPORT FEES Revised 9/24
4.39.000 Chapter Contents
Sections:
4.39.010 BLS Transport user fee imposed.
4.39.020 Medicare and Medicaid.
4.39.030 Policy and Financial Assistance.
4.39.010 BLS Transport user fee imposed.
A. All persons receiving basic life support emergency medical services transport ("BLS Transport") by the City shall be charged and billed a BLS Transport user fee ("the Fee"). The initial base Fee is set at $1,300.00, plus a mileage fee of $28.75 per mile, calculated at the pick-up or emergency scene and ending at the final destination or admitting medical facility. The Fee may be automatically adjusted annually by reference to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area, plus two percent (2%). The City Manager or designee shall establish a procedure to implement, bill, invoice, and collect Fees.
B. Any person who supplies the City with the medical insurance information and documentation needed to bill their insurance provider for the Fee, and who assigns their insurance benefits for the same to the City, shall be billed for that portion of the Fee that is in excess of amounts paid by their insurer(s).
C. A person who does not supply the City with the medical insurance information and documentation needed to bill their insurance provider or who fails to assign such benefits to the City because they are unwilling, or because they do not have any type of insurance coverage for such charges, shall be billed for the entire Fee.
D. The use of the term "insurance" or any variation thereof in this section shall include Medicare and Medicaid.
E. The use of the term "BLS Transport" in this section shall mean transportation by ground ambulance vehicle and the provision of medically necessary supplies and services, including BLS ambulance services as defined by the state (Chapter 18.73 RCW, now or as hereafter amended). The ambulance must be staffed by an individual who is qualified in accordance with state and local laws as an emergency medical technician ("EMT"). Emergency medical technicians perform non-invasive, basic emergency treatment.
(Ord. 7404 §1, 2024).
4.39.020 Medicare and Medicaid.
Charges for the BLS Transport authorized by this Chapter shall be construed and implemented in a manner consistent with Medicare and Medicaid requirements, when applicable. If any method or procedures authorized by this Chapter for the purpose of establishing, implementing, imposing or collection of charges for BLS Transport is found to conflict with Medicare and/or Medicaid requirements, the conflicting part of this Chapter shall be inoperative to the extent the same conflicts with Medicare and/or Medicaid requirements. The operation of the remainder of this Chapter remains unaffected.
(Ord. 7404 §1, 2024).
4.39.030 Policy and Financial Assistance.
A. It is the City’s policy that ability to pay is not a condition of BLS Transport service. All aspects of emergency medical services the City currently provides, including BLS Transport, shall be provided to all patients without discrimination toward those with no ability or inadequate ability or means to pay.
B. The City Manager or designee shall establish a program consistent with criteria and rules set forth in WAC 246-453-001 through 246-453-060, now or as hereafter amended, to provide financial assistance and/or debt forgiveness to persons that do not have the ability to pay for some or all of the Fee.
(Ord. 7404 §1, 2024).