HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Statement 1985/03/12 Item 11 COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT
Item 11
Meeting Date 3/12/85
ITEM TITLE: Resolution //45;7- Approving Extension of the Paramedics Contract with
Med Trans (DBA Hartson's Ambulance Service)
SUBMITTED BY: Director of Public Safe (4/5ths Vote: Yes No x )
REVIEWED BY: City Manage r6
On September 4, 1984, Council extended the Med Trans paramedic contract until February 8,
1985. This action was taken to await final action on Assembly Bill 3153 which would have
amended sections of the State Health & Safety Code. Specifically, this amendment would
have eliminated the need for a competitive process in the selection of providers of emer-
gency medical services if the current providers had been operating in the jurisdiction
without interruption since January 1 , 1981 . This legislation was signed by the Governor
and became effictive January 1 , 1985.
RECOMMENDATION: That Council adopt resolution approving the extension of the paramedics '
service contract with Med Trans to February 8, 1989.
BOARDS/COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDATION: N/A
DISCUSSION:
Prior to September of 1984, staff had been in the process of preparing an RFP for paramedic
service. Staff was concerned with conflict that might occur if the ALS (paramedics) contract
should be awarded to a medical service provider other than Med Trans. This concern arises
because Med Trans has the BLS (Basic Life Support/EMT) contract and it extends until
February 8, 1989.
In the past, Med Trans has contended that the BLS transports pay for the ALS service.
Medical service providers have stated that at least four ALS transports per day are required
to break even financially. If the goal of four is not reached, then BLS transports must
subsidize the ALS program. The Chula Vista service area is now generating approximately
3.6 ALS transports daily. If we did select an ALS provider other than Med Trans, staff
felt that a situation would evolve in which the BLS provider would be disputing the decision
making process of the ALS provider if there is a significant increase in the percentage of
ALS transports. Current statistics indicate that 74% of all ALS calls result in ALS trans-
ports. Staff felt that this potential conflict would result in significant staff time in
resolving disputes and monitoring the contract. This type of situation could result in
increased medical costs for subscribers if they are subjected to ALS transports when BLS
would suffice.
Assembly Bill 3153 specifies that a competitive process in the selection of medical providers
is not required if the current providers have been operating in the local area without
interruption since January 1 , 1981 . Based on this legislation, it is staff' s recommendation
that the ALS contract with Med Trans be extended until February 8, 1989 when the BLS contract
expires. At that time we could utilize the RFP process to select one ALS/BLS provider.
Med Trans has advised staff that they are currently developing information to request a
rate increase. The last rate increase was December 2, 1982.
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
WJW/m
Form A-113 (Rev. 11/79)