Sec. 66-56. - Title and citation.

This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Billing and Collection Procedure for Collier County Provided Health Related Services Ordinance."

(Ord. No. 91-46, § 2)

Sec. 66-57. - Findings and purpose.

Pursuant to F.S. § 125.01(1)(e), the board of county commissioners finds that it is empowered to provide ambulance services and health and welfare programs and, pursuant to F.S. § 154.001, the board of county commissioners finds that the legislature recognizes the unique partnership which necessarily exists between the state and its counties in meeting the public health needs of the state. In recognition of said findings, it is the purpose of this article to create a common billing and collection procedure for health service charges.

(Ord. No. 91-46, § 1)

Sec. 66-58. - Applicability.

This article shall apply for services provided in the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county.

(Ord. No. 91-46, § 3)

Sec. 66-59. - Establishment.

The board of county commissioners shall establish, by resolution, the rates, fees and charges for services and related materials provided by county emergency medical services and HRS-Collier County Public Health Unit. Collier County Resolution Nos. 90-500 and 90-501 are hereby adopted as the rates, fees and charges resolutions to apply from the effective date of the ordinance from which this article was derived.

(Ord. No. 91-46, § 4)

Sec. 66-60. - Billing and collection procedure.

The following shall be the procedure for billing and collection of health related service fees and charges. This procedure may be revised and/or amended by the board of county commissioners by resolution.

(1)

Initial fees and charges for health care shall be assessed either prior to or following service provision, as service dynamics reasonably permit. Unpaid fees and charges, at the time of service, shall be reflected in an accounts receivable ledger system.

(2)

An initial bill for previously assessed but unpaid fees and charges or previously unassessed fees and charges shall be sent to the patient within 30 days after service is provided.

(3)

If the initial bill is not paid within 30 days from the initial billing date, then a past due bill will be sent to the patient. A payment plan will be available for past due bill recipients. Each provider agency shall establish and administer a payment plan.

(4)

If the initial bill is delinquent and not paid within 60 days from the initial billing date or a payment plan is not established and active, a notice of delinquency shall be sent to the service recipient or responsible party.

(5)

If the initial bill for EMS services is delinquent and not paid within 75 days from the initial billing date or a payment plan is not established and active, another notice of delinquency shall be sent to the service recipient or responsible party.

(6)

If the initial bill is delinquent and not paid within 90 days from the initial billing date, a final notice of delinquency shall be sent to the service recipient or responsible party specifying that the account may be pursued through civil action, collection agency or other collection methods.

(7)

When billings, at any stage in this billing and collection procedure, are returned because the postal service cannot effectuate delivery, the providing agency shall make a reasonable effort to ascertain the correct mailing address. If reasonable efforts to ascertain a correct address fail, the account may be turned over to a collection agency.

(8)

Nothing contained in this section shall preclude reasonable telephone or other contact for billing or collection purposes, in accordance with all applicable laws.

(9)

At the end of each fiscal year, the provider agency shall review all past due accounts and report to the board of county commissioners all past due accounts which the agency believes are uncollectable. The board of county commissioners may, after reviewing these accounts and after finding that diligent efforts at collection have proven unsuccessful, remove past due accounts from active accounts receivable in accordance with F.S. ch. 17 and report, by resolution, these accounts to the state department of banking and finance to adjust and settle or cause to be adjusted and settled.

(Ord. No. 91-46, § 5; Ord. No. 93-90, § 1)

Sec. 66-61. - Medicaid billings.

The county emergency medical services and HRS-Collier County Public Health Unit shall bill the state Medicaid program for those Medicaid eligible patients who receive health related services in accordance with Medicaid rules.

(Ord. No. 91-46, § 6)

Sec. 66-62. - Medicare billings and other third party billings.

The county emergency medical services and HRS-Collier County Public Health Unit may accept Medicare and Medicaid assignments. Other third party billing assignments may be accepted with the difference between assignment and total charges remaining as the responsibility of the recipient of the services. Any uncollected accounts receivable shall be administered in accordance with subsection 66-60(9).

(Ord. No. 91-46, § 7)

Sec. 66-63. - Alternative methods of payment.

The county emergency medical services and HRS-Collier County Public Health Unit may accept credit card payment for health related services. Specific credit cards accepted shall be limited to those for which service contracts exist.

(Ord. No. 91-46, § 8)

Sec. 66-64. - Civil action procedures.

The county shall file civil actions in the county small claims court, when appropriate, in order to pursue payment of charges and fees previously assessed by the county emergency medical services and HRS-Collier County Public Health Unit but uncollected. Such suits shall be filed in the name of the county emergency medical services or HRS-Collier County Public Health Unit, on behalf of the board of county commissioners.

(Ord. No. 91-46, § 9)

Secs. 66-65—66-70. - Reserved.