Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Rebecca MacDougall
Department: Medical Examiner and Trauma Services
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO APPROVE Agreement between Broward County and RG Ambulance Service, Inc. (“RG Ambulance Service”) d/b/a Century Ambulance Service in the amount not to exceed $200,000, effective April 16, 2024 through April 15, 2029, for the provision of Emergency Ambulance Service; authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute same; authorize the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative and budgetary actions to implement the Agreement; and authorize the County Administrator to execute amendments to the Agreement that do not impose additional financial obligations on Broward County, subject to review for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney.
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Why Action is Necessary
Agreements with external agencies are subject to approval by the Board of County Commissioners (“Board”).
What Action Accomplishes
Approval of this Agreement provides emergency backup ambulance service to the County, allows the County to regulate ambulance transportation rates charged to the citizens and visitors of Broward County for emergency and nonemergency ambulance transportation; defrays the administrative costs of monitoring and regulating ambulance services; and other various terms and conditions.
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Previous Action Taken
April 16, 2024
Summary Explanation/Background
THE OFFICE OF MEDICAL EXAMINER AND TRAUMA SERVICES RECOMMENDS APPROVAL.
On April 16, 2024, The Broward County Board of County Commissioners awarded a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (“Certificate”) to RG Ambulance Service, Inc. d/b/a Century Ambulance Service contingent on County and Contractor entering into an agreement to provide emergency backup services.
The Agreement with the private ambulance provider will: (1) set emergency and nonemergency ambulance transportation rates for private ambulance providers using Medicare reimbursable rates required by Federal guidelines; (2) continue the "fee forgiveness program” which provides relief from indebtedness for the provision of interfacility ambulance transportation services to certain Broward County residents based upon financial need and other factors; (3) defrays the County’s cost to monitor and regulate the ambulance companies; (4) other terms and conditions such as indemnification and audit rights.
The Agreement will continue to assure Broward County residents a high level of ambulance transportation service while incorporating an established rate structure for the ambulance transportation service which is consistent with Medicare reimbursement rates, and a program to provide respite from indebtedness for interfacility ambulance transport services to Broward County residents.
The Agreement is concurrent with the Certificate awarded the provider on April 16, 2024, for a five-year time period and may be terminated if the provider does not substantially comply with the Agreement or the requirements of Broward County Code, Chapter 3½ for Class 2 ALS transfer and/or Class 3 BLS transport COPCNs.
The Agreement (Exhibit 1) is signed by the provider and has been reviewed and approved as to form by the Office of the County Attorney.
Source of Additional Information
Dr. Rebecca MacDougall, Director, Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services, (954) 357-5209
Alison Zerbe, Manager - Trauma and EMS Section, Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Service, (954) 357-5234
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The Contractor shall pay County annually upon the Effective Date of this Agreement and by each January 1, the sum of $12,500. This amount will increase 2% each year commencing with the first payment due after the Effective Date to offset a portion of County’s administrative costs related to the monitoring, reporting, regulating Contractor’s rates, and responsibilities associated with this Agreement.
Total cost to the County over a five-year period: up to $200,000.