File No. 34213
This rule was published in the December 1, 2010, issue (Vol. 2010, No. 23) of the Utah State Bulletin.
Health, Health Systems Improvement, Emergency Medical Services
Rule R426-16
Emergency Medical Services Ambulance Rates and Charges
Notice of 120-Day (Emergency) Rule
DAR File No.: 34213
Filed: 11/02/2010 09:15:19 AM
RULE ANALYSIS
Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:
Although this rule has not been amended since 2006, the Department of Health by order has authorized agencies to adjust rates according to the agency's fiscal data as reviewed by the Department of Health. For the past four years, the Department of Health has issued these orders on July 1 with the exception of one issued on 01/01/2009. Due to the Order issued by the Department of Health, the published ambulance rates in the rule are not the current rates which ambulance agencies charge. Rule R426-16 is revised to reflect the 07/01/2010 revised ambulance rates issued by an Order by the Department of Health. As all agencies are billing this rate, there is not an increase in cost to users.
Summary of the rule or change:
This rule change will end confusion as the published ambulance rates do not match with the current ambulance rates in Rule R426-16. Rates were adjusted annually based on factors set forth in the rule, but the new rates were not published as a rule. Going forward all rate changes will be placed in rule. Ambulance agencies no longer charge for Treat and Release, Emergency Response, and Night surcharges. Rule R426-16 needs to be amended to reflect these changes. (DAR NOTE: A corresponding proposed amendment is under DAR No. 34214 in this issue, December 1, 2010, of the Bulletin.)
Emergency rule reason and justification:
Regular rulemaking procedures would cause an imminent budget reduction because of budget restraints or federal requirements; and place the agency in violation of federal or state law.
Justification: Rule R426-16 needs to be amended to match current Ambulance Rates as listed by the 07/01/2010 Order as issued by the Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:
- Section 26-8a-403
Anticipated cost or savings to:
the state budget:
State budget will not be impacted, as the current rate that went into effect in July 2010 will not change by this rule.
local governments:
Local government budgets will not be impacted, as the current rate that went into effect in July 2010 will not change by this rule. The rates listed in the rule are increased significantly, but no change in current rates will occur as the rate in the rule had been inflated annually based on factors in the rule.
small businesses:
EMS budgets will not be impacted, as the current rate that went into effect in July 2010 will not change by this rule. The rates listed in the rule are increased significantly, but no change in current rates will occur as the rate in the rule had been inflated annually based on factors in the rule.
persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:
EMS budgets will not be impacted, as the current rate that went into effect in July 2010 will not change by this rule. The rates listed in the rule are increased significantly, but no change in current rates will occur as the rate in the rule had been inflated annually based on factors in the rule.
Compliance costs for affected persons:
EMS agencies are allowed to bill the rates listed in the proposed rule and there are no costs to the agency for compliance.
Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:
The rate has been annually increased by inflation factors listed in the rule and published in an order. The rule is hereby updated and will be kept current in the future. No direct fiscal impact expected.
David N. Sundwall, MD, Executive Director
The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:
HealthHealth Systems Improvement, Emergency Medical Services
3760 S HIGHLAND DR
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84106
Direct questions regarding this rule to:
- Allan Liu at the above address, by phone at 801-273-6664, by FAX at 801-273-4165, or by Internet E-mail at aliu@utah.gov
This rule is effective on:
11/02/2010
Authorized by:
David Sundwall, Executive Director
RULE TEXT
R426. Health, Health Systems Improvement, Emergency Medical Services.
R426-16. Emergency Medical Services Ambulance Rates and Charges.
R426-16-1. Authority and Purpose.
(1) This rule is established under Title 26, Chapter 8a.
(2) The purpose of this rule is to provide for the establishment of maximum ambulance transportation and rates to be charged by licensed ambulance services in the State of Utah.
R426-16-2. Ambulance Transportation Rates and Charges.
(1) Licensed services operating under R426-15 shall not charge more than the rates described is this rule. In addition, the net income of licensed services, including subsidies of any type, shall not exceed the net income limit set by this rule.
(a) The net income limit shall be the greater of eight percent of gross revenue or 14 percent return on average assets.
(b) Licensed Services may change rates at their discretion after notifying the Department, provided that the rates do not exceed the maximums specified in this rule.
(c) An agency may not charge a transportation fee for patients who are not transported.
(2) The initial regulated rates
established in this rule shall be adjusted annually on July 1,
based on [an annual review of the most recent 12 month percentage
change in price levels from the following sources: U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Data, the
National Consumer Pricing Index (CPI), the State of Utah
Governor's Office of Planning and Budget economic report; the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics seasonally adjusted CPI for Urban
Consumers transportation and medical care categories, and the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics seasonally adjusted CPI for Urban Wage
Earners and Clerical Workers transportation and medical categories.
The adjustment shall be made effective and published by order of
the Department prior to June 1 of each year and become effective
July 1, of each year. All licensed services will collect
]financial data as delineated by the department to be submitted as
detailed under R426-[8]16-2([10]9). This data shall then be used as the basis for the annual
rate adjustment.
(3) Base Rates for ground transport to care facility -
(a) [Basic]Ground Ambulance - $[400.40]535.00 per transport.
(b) Intermediate
Ground Ambulance - $[475.40]707.00 per transport.
(c) Paramedic
Ground Ambulance - $[600.50]1,035.00 per transport.
(d)[(i) A basic ambulance licensee may charge a base rate of
$720.65 per transport and an intermediate ambulance licensee may
charge a base rate of $795.70 per transport if:]
Ground Ambulance with Paramedic on-board - $1,035.00 per
transport if:
[(A)](i) a dispatch agency dispatches a paramedic licensee to
treat the individual;
[(B)](ii) the paramedic licensee has initiated advanced life
support[:];
[(C)](iii) on-line medical control directs that a paramedic
remain with the patient during transport; and
[(D)](iv) [the ambulance provider pays $210.95 to the paramedic
licensee.
(ii) A]an ambulance service that interfaces with a paramedic rescue
service [must have]and has an interlocal or equivalent agreement in place,
dealing with reimbursing the paramedic agency for services provided
up to [the]a maximum of $[210.95]234.71 per transport.
(4) Mileage Rate[s]-
(a) $31.[40]65 per mile or fraction thereof.
(b) In all cases mileage shall be computed from the point of pickup to the point of delivery.
(c) A fuel fluctuation surcharge of $0.25
per mile may be added when
diesel fuel prices [are more than $.31]exceed $5.10 per gallon [above the price of record, as established by the
Department, on the immediately prior July 1 of each year]or gasoline exceeds $4.25 as invoiced.[
The Department will notify all agencies when this surcharge
is available.]
(5) Surcharge[s]-
[(a) A surcharge of $39.75 may be assessed if the response
requires the use of emergency lights and siren.
(b) A surcharge of $39.75 may be assessed for ambulance
service between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
(c)]
(a) If the ambulance is required to travel for ten miles or
more on unpaved roads, a surcharge of $1.50 per mile may be
assessed.
(6) Special Provisions -
(a) If more than one patient is transported from the same point of origin to the same point of delivery in the same ambulance, the charges to be assessed to each individual will be determined as follows:
(i) Each patient will be assessed the transportation rate.
(ii) The [emergency surcharge, night surcharge and] mileage
rate will be computed as specified, the sum to be divided equally
between the total number of patients.
(b) A round trip may be billed as two one-way trips.
(c) An ambulance shall provide 15 minutes of time at no charge at both point of pickup and point of delivery, and may charge $22.05 per quarter hour or fraction thereof thereafter. On round trips, 30 minutes at no charge will be allowed from the time the ambulance reaches the point of delivery until starting the return trip. At the expiration of the 30 minutes, the ambulance service may charge $22.05 per quarter hour or fraction thereof thereafter.
(7) [Treat and Release Rate -
(a) An ambulance licensee may charge a treat and release
fee of $200.00 if:
(i) a dispatch agency dispatches the ambulance to provide
emergency care to an individual;
(ii) the ambulance personnel assesses or treats the
individual;
(iii) the individual does not refuse service;
and
(iv) the ambulance does not transport the
individual.
(b) An ambulance licensee may charge for supplies and
assess surcharges as provided R426-16-2(5) and
R426-16-2(8).
(8)]
Supplies and Medications -
(a) An ambulance licensee may charge for supplies and providing supplies, medications, and administering medications used on any response if:
(i) [S]supplies shall be priced fairly and competitively with
similar products in the local area[.];
(ii) the individual does not refuse services; and
(iii) the ambulance personnel assess or treats the individual.
[(9)](8) Uncontrollable Cost Escalation -
(a) In the event of a temporary escalation
of costs, an ambulance service may petition the [EMS Committee]Department for permission to make a temporary
service-specific surcharge. The petition shall specify the amount
of the proposed surcharge, the reason for the surcharge, and
provide sufficient financial data to clearly demonstrate the need
for the proposed surcharge. Since this is intended to only provide
temporary relief, the petition shall also include a recommended
time limit.
(b) [The petition shall be submitted to the Department, which
shall within 30 days, notify the ambulance service of the date and
time of the next EMS Committee meeting and the disposition of the
petition. Prior to the EMS Committee meeting, the Department shall
evaluate the petition for reasonableness and prepare a written
response for consideration by the EMS Committee. The EMS Committee
may reject, modify or adopt the proposed surcharge as a proposed
rule and direct the Department to submit a notice of rule change to
the Division of Administrative Rules in accordance with the
Rulemaking Act. The public comment period shall include a public
hearing]The Department will make a final decision on the proposed
surcharge within 30 days of receipt of the petition.
[(10)](9)
Operating report -
(a) The licensed service shall file with the Department
within [five months]60 days of the end of each licensed service's fiscal
year, an operating report in accordance with the instructions,
guidelines and review criteria
as specified
by the Department[in the EMS Committee's "Department of Health
Uniform Licensed Service Fiscal Reporting Guide"].
The Department shall provide a summary of operating reports
received during the previous state fiscal year to the EMS Committee
in the October quarterly meeting[, beginning 2001].
[(11)](10) Fiscal audits
-
(a) Upon receipt of licensed service
fiscal reports, the Department shall review them for compliance to
standards established[
in the "Department of Health Uniform Licensed Service
Fiscal Reporting Guide." The Department, or its
representative, may audit licensed services to verify the
information given in the report].
(b) Where the Department determines that the audited service is not in compliance with this rule, the Department shall proceed in accordance with Section 26-8a-504.
R426-16-3. Penalty for Violation of Rule.
[Any person who violates any provision of this rule may be
assessed a penalty as provided in Section 26-23-6.]As required by Subsection 63G-3-201(5): Any person that violates
any provisions of this rule may be assessed a civil money penalty
as provided in Section 26-23-6.
KEY: emergency medical services
Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: November 2, 2010
Notice of Continuation: July 28, 2009
Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 26-8a
Additional Information
The Portable Document Format (PDF) version of the Bulletin is the official version. The PDF version of this issue is available at https://rules.utah.gov/publicat/bull-pdf/2010/b20101201.pdf. The HTML edition of the Bulletin is a convenience copy. Any discrepancy between the PDF version and HTML version is resolved in favor of the PDF version.
Text to be deleted is struck through and surrounded by brackets (e.g., [example]). Text to be added is underlined (e.g., example). Older browsers may not depict some or any of these attributes on the screen or when the document is printed.
For questions regarding the content or application of this rule, please contact Allan Liu at the above address, by phone at 801-273-6664, by FAX at 801-273-4165, or by Internet E-mail at aliu@utah.gov.