Title
FY 2018 Service Fees for Emergency Ambulance Transport Billing Policy Change Resolution
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
On May 8, 2002, the City Council first enacted Hampton City Code Section 14-10, titled “Service Fees for Emergency Ambulance Transport” (“HCC 14-10”) which provided for the levy of certain charges upon each recipient of emergency transport service rendered in the City, and further authorized and directed the Fire Chief to establish rules and regulations for the administration of those charges, including the authority to set payment standards for those persons who demonstrate economic hardship, to the extent permitted by applicable law. That ordinance took effect on January 1, 2003.
On May 4, 2005, based on policies recommended by staff, Hampton City Code Section 14-10 was amended to expressly enable the Fire Chief to include in those established rules and regulations waiver of applicable insurance co-payments and/or deductibles for city residents. Since that time, and based on those policy recommendations acknowledged by Council, the Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue has administered policies and regulations (which have come to be known as the “Service Fees for Emergency Ambulance Transport Program” or “SFEATP”) that include the waiver of co-payment obligations and deductibles for City residents. Under the current policies, 100% of the direct financial responsibility is written off.
Discussion:
Since 2005, the City has also entered into an automatic mutual aid agreement with the City of Newport News (“Newport News”) to ensure that City residents receive service from the nearest available ambulance, regardless of whether those services are provided by the City or by Newport News. The City and Newport News had similar billing practices with respect to the billing (and non-billing) of residents when that automatic mutual aid agreement was first explored. However, since entering into that agreement, Newport News has changed its pra...
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