§ 7.16.310. Special Charges.*

A. A ground ambulance operator shall charge no more than the following rates for special ancillary services:

1.	Request for service after 7:00 p.m. and before 7:00 a.m. of the next day will be subject to an additional maximum charge of	$24.00
2.	Persons requiring oxygen, shall be subject to an additional maximum charge per tank or fraction thereof, and oxygen delivery equipment to include nasal cannula and/or oxygen mask, of	$96.00
3.	Neonatal transport	$228.00
4.	Registered Nurse or Respiratory Therapist Specialty Care Transport with equipment and personnel for up to 3 hours of transportation time	$2,567.00
5.	Registered Nurse and Respiratory Therapist Specialty Care Transport with equipment and personnel for up to 3 hours of transportation time	$2,901.00
6.	Registered Nurse and/or Respiratory Therapist per hour after the first 3 hours	$143.00
7.	Volume ventilator	$184.00
8.	Disposable Medical Supplies	$28.00

 

B.

Where other special services are requested or needed by any patient or authorized representative thereof, a reasonable charge commensurate with the cost of furnishing such special service may be made, provided that the ambulance operator shall file with the Director of the Department of Health Services a schedule of each special service proposed and the charge therefore, which charge shall be effective unless modified, restricted, or denied by the Director of the Department of Health Services. Special services are defined as services provided to a patient that are unique and individual to a specific patient's needs, and are performed on a limited basis.

C.

Charges for special services provided to patients that are new services, but will become an industry standard, must be reviewed and a rate commensurate with the service developed prior to ambulance operators charging such rate to the general public. Such rates shall not be charged to patients until approved by the Board of Supervisors.

D.

This section does not apply to a contract between an ambulance operator and the County where different rates or payment mechanisms are specified.

(Ord. 2016-0028 § 2, 2016: Ord. 2011-0031 § 28, 2011: Ord. 2003-0058 § 4, 2003: Ord. 96-0067 § 18, 1996: Ord. 94-0038 § 2, 1994: Ord. 91-0071 § 3, 1991: Ord. 90-0088 § 2, 1990: Ord. 89-0092 § 3, 1989: Ord. 88-0181 § 33, 1988; Ord. 88-0170 § 3, 1988: Ord. 87-0131U § 2, 1987: Ord. 86-0111 § 2, 1986: Ord. 85-0120U § 2, 1985: Ord. 83-0201 § 4, 1983: Ord. 83-0017 § 3 (part), 1983: Ord. 82-0105 § 3, 1982: Ord. 12077 § 1 (part), 1980: Ord. 11806 § 1 (part), 1978: Ord. 5860 Ch. 4 § 1010, 1951.)

*  Editor's note: Fee changes in this section include changes made by the Director of Emergency Medical Services Agency in accordance with County Code Section 7.16.340 - Modification of Rates and are effective July 1, 2018, and every July 1 thereafter.