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City to Implement EMS Billing Program
Effective July 1, 2004
Introduction | Implementation Updates | FAQs | Informational Brochure | HIPAA Information | Contact Us | *Perry Township
Upper Arlington City Council recognizes the importance and value of providing exceptional safety services to the community. In addition, results of the 2003 Community Survey clearly indicate that many residents rate safety high on their list of UA strengths, with fire, emergency medical and police services ranking the highest of all City services.
The costs for providing and enhancing such services are expensive by nature and continue to rise, presenting the ongoing challenge of seeking and securing adequate funding.
Approximately 85 percent of communities nationwide are billing for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) runs, providing an effective long-term means to defray some of the costs involved with EMS units.
At a February, 2004 Council Conference Session, City Council authorized staff to proceed with the development and implementation of an EMS billing program. At a May Council Meeting, City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into contract with MBI Solutions to provide third party billing administration for the new program. The City's EMS transport billing program goes into effect July 1, 2004.
The idea of EMS billing has been explored several times as a cost recovery option, but up to this time had not been acted upon, since UA would have been one of the first Central Ohio communities to take such a step.
In 2003, the City of Columbus began its own program, and several other communities have begun or are considering EMS billing. At the advent of the Columbus program, City Council asked staff to monitor its success and provide a recommendation after approximately one year, a process that led to February’s decision to proceed.
Implementation of an EMS billing program has required the following steps:
- Staff developed a program outline.
- The City secured MBI Solutions as its third party administrator that specializes in handling EMS billing and collections, and that is well equipped to stay on top of the many issues and policy changes that occur in a dynamic healthcare industry.
- The third party administrator has helped finalize the EMS transport billing program, recommended fee structure, and billing policies.
Conservative annual revenue estimates resulting from EMS billing, based on the average number of patients that UA transports each year, exceed $400,000.
It is important to stress that EMS billing will not affect the City’s provision of exceptional emergency medical services in any way. All emergency calls will receive prompt and comprehensive service, regardless of insurance coverage or ability to pay.
To help inform the community of how the program will work, an extensive education campaign has been implemented, including a series of public meetings in mid-June, outreach to the senior population, informational brochures, details on the City’s website and more.
While the City is currently in a strong fiscal position, threats to revenue sources such as the Estate Tax Fund and Local Government Fund necessitate proactively seeking alternative revenue sources. EMS billing provides a unique opportunity for the City to continue providing exceptional fire and EMS services to the community, with the resulting revenues earmarked to support the long-term needs of the Fire Division, such as equipment upgrades and maintenance of the community’s three fire stations.
If you have questions or concerns about EMS billing, please contact the Fire Division by calling 614-583-5100, or click on the "Contact Us" link above to email the Division.
* - The Upper Arlington Fire Division is contracted to provide fire and emergency medical services to certain portions of Perry Township. Those areas included within this contract will receive service as if they were part of Upper Arlington. As a result, any Perry Township residents within the Upper Arlington emergency service area will not receive a bill for any portion of an EMS transport provided by the Upper Arlington Fire Division.
10/04
Fire Division
City of Upper Arlington
3600 Tremont Road
Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Phone: 614-583-5100
Fax: 614-457-6620
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