Subject:
Title
First Amendment to the agreement with Paramedics Plus L.L.C. for requirements of ambulance services.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Sitting as the Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Authority, approve the First Amendment to the agreement with Paramedics Plus L.L.C. (Paramedics Plus) for requirements of ambulance services.
Contract No. 134-0452-P(JA), no net fiscal impact through September 30, 2020.
Chairman to sign, Clerk of Court to attest.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention and protective services to insure a safe and secure community
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
On October 11, 2016 the EMS Authority approved updates to the EMS Ordinance that would authorize non-emergency Basic Life Support (BLS) transport by Sunstar, which is operated by Paramedics Plus.
The First Amendment follows the direction of the EMS Authority to institute a non-emergency BLS Ambulance Program and amends the Ambulance Service Agreement accordingly.
The EMS Authority, Sunstar, and first responders will partner and cooperate to implement and maintain a Continuing Medical Education Training Program.
Background Information:
The EMS ordinance was implemented in 1988 and has served the needs of the EMS system well. At that time, there was consideration for having an all Advanced Life Support ambulance fleet.
Due to the growth of transports in the EMS system, the sophistication of current call triage, and healthcare reform to align service levels, it is an appropriate time to allow BLS ambulances by Sunstar.
Fiscal Impact:
The First Amendment contains no anticipated net fiscal impact as the program is fee-for-service based. The First Amendment to the ambulance service agreement will effect a reduction to the current reimbursement rate of $243.31 per transport to Paramedics Plus by $10.00 per transport, thereby reducing cost to the EMS Authority. The ordinance and associated fiscal impacts are consistent with the FY17 adopted budget. As part of the FY17 adopted budget, a BLS non-emergency user fee was added to the ambulance services user fee schedule.
Staff Member Responsible:
Craig A. Hare, Director, EMS and Fire Administration
Joe Lauro, Director, Purchasing
Partners:
Paramedics Plus L.L.C.
EMS Advisory Council
EMS Medical Control Board
Pinellas County Fire Chiefs’ Association
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Attachments:
Ambulance Service Agreement First Amendment with amended appendices