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January 9, 2024
ITEM TITLE
Ambulance Transport Services: Approve Continued Participation in the Public Provider Ground Emergency Medical Transport Intergovernmental Transfer
Report Number: 24-0006
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: Fire
G.C. § 84308: No
Environmental Notice : The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines. Therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3), no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution: (A) authorizing the City Manager to execute the PP -GEMT-IGT certification form to participate in the Public Provider Intergovernmental Transfer Program for Ground Emergency Medical Transportation Services; and (B) amending the fiscal year 2023-24 budget (4/5 Vote Required).
SUMMARY
The Fire Department provides exclusive ambulance transport services within the City of Chula Vista, the City of Imperial Beach, and the Bonita Sunnyside Fire Protection District and is e ligible to participate in various Federal reimbursement programs for ambulance transports.
The Department of Health Care Services developed the Public Provider Ground Emergency Medical Transport (PP -GEMT) Intergovernmental Transfer Program (IGT) program to provide increased reimbursements to emergency medical transports provided by eligible non -contracted public GEMT providers. As a requirement for partici pation, the City must pay an annual collection amount based on call volume, and then will receive those funds back plus additional funds through the supplemental Medi -Cal program. To qualify, the City must submit a certification form to the State of California Department of Health Care Services certifying compliance to program rules and eligibility.
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable
DISCUSSION
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) developed the Public Provider Ground Emergency Medical Transport (PP-GEMT) Intergovernmental Transfer Program (IGT) program in accordance with Assembly Bill (AB) 1705 to provide increased reimbursements to emergency medical transports provided by eligible non- contracted public GEMT providers. This program went into effect January 1, 2023, and the City of Chula Vista was approved for participation in calendar year 2023 via City Council Resolution 2023-061.
The first participation period for this program was January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023. The months of January through October 2023 have been finalized for the City’s participation. During those months, the City’s call volume of emergency medical transports qualified under this program wer e 5,356 transports. During this same period, the City paid $1,535,727.07 into the program. As a result, the City received funds back from the program totaling $3,848,795.92 for the same period. These funds have been reinvested into the Transport Enterprise Fund for various operational needs. These operational needs included, but were not limited to, wage increases for personnel, inflation increases in supplies and services, and capital equipment purchases, all without increasing the base transport fee to patients.
The next participation period will be January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. To qualify and continue participation in the program, the City must submit a certification form to the DHCS each quarte r certifying compliance with program rules and eligibility. In addition to the certification form, the City must contribute an annual collection amount based on call volume, and then will receive those funds back plus additional funds through the supplemen tal Medi -Cal program. The amount paid into the program and then subsequently received back is dependent on call volumes for the period.
The DHCS is estimating the City’s portion to pay into the program to be $2,553,418.48 for calendar year 2024.
The City is expecting to receive these funds back plus additional funds as a continuation of program revenue seen in calendar year 2023. The Fire Department continues to monitor the anticipated participation contribution as well as anticipated revenues in the program based on call volumes for the period, as well as future periods as part of the ongoing Transport Enterprise Fund expenditure plan.
Staff is therefore recommending that the City Council approve the City’s participation in this program and authorize the City Manager to execute the certification form, as well as all other documents necessary to implement the program.
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DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the real property holdings of the City Council members do not create a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no current-year fiscal impact to the General Fund as a result of this action. Adopting the resolution appropriates $1,276,709.24 in program participation funds from the Transport Enterprise Fund (estimated fiscal year 2023-24 portion of calendar year 2024 participation amount). This expense will be fully offset by increased revenues anticipated to be received from the PP-GEMT-IGT program.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact to the General Fund as a result of this action. Ongoing program participation funds will be addressed in future expenditure plans during the City’s annual budgeting process.
ATTACHMENTS
1. CY24 Invoice #1 – PP-GEMT-IGT
2. IGT Certification 1.1.2024
Staff Contact: Emily Folker, Principal Management Analyst Raymond Smith, Deputy Chief of EMS
Harry Muns, Fire Chief