Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 22, 1993 TAG: 9305220016
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
City Manager Bob Herbert will recommend that the charge for a basic-life-support call be increased from $100 to $115. The fee for an advanced-life-support call would increase from $130 to $190.
Basic-life-support services cover first-aid treatment and transportation, while advanced-life calls involve more complex medical services and transportation to the hospital.
Herbert will ask City Council to approve the higher charges at its meeting Monday.
He said the city needs additional revenue to pay for an emergency-medical services training coordinator, more training for dispatchers, and equipment to reduce the chances for emergency workers to get infectious diseases.
Herbert said the cost for providing emergency-medical services is double the city's fees.
In fiscal 1992, the cost was $1.1 million. The city charged $951,00 for the services, but collected only $542,000. This year, the cost is projected at $1.2 million, with anticipated collections at $548,000.
Herbert said the collection rate averages only 50 percent to 60 percent because Medicaid and Medicare payment allowances for emergency transports are lower than the city's fees.
The collection rate is also low because a large number of low-income and transient people use the service, he said.
If the higher fees are approved by council, the impact on city residents will vary, based on their insurance and financial ability.
If residents have medical insurance, their share of the bill may increase by about $3 on a basic-life call, and up to $12 for advanced.
Individuals without insurance who are financially unable to pay will continue to receive the service free, Herbert said.
The higher fees are projected to generate $128,000 a year.
by CNB