Sec. 16-60. - Imposition of fees.

(a)

Except as otherwise provided by subsection (d), a service charge for Basic Life Support transport (BLS), for Advanced Life Support (ALS) and for ground transport mileage is imposed on each person being transported by an emergency medical services vehicle that is operated or maintained by the city. The funds received from the payment of this fee shall be paid into the general fund of the city to aid in defraying the cost of providing such service.

(b)

Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to this article:

Advanced Life Support (ALS): Services shall be medical treatment or procedures provided to a patient beyond the scope of an emergency medical technician (EMT)-basic as defined by the National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Education and Practice Blueprint.

Basic Life Support (BLS): Services shall be medical treatment or procedures to a patient as defined in the National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Education and Practice Blueprint for the emergency medical technician (EMT)-basic.

Emergency medical services vehicle: Shall be defined as specified in the Code of Virginia, § 32.1-111.1, as amended.

Ground transport mileage: Mileage shall be assessed in statute miles from the location of the incident to a hospital or other facility where a patient is transported.

Statute mile: An imperial unit of length equal to five thousand two hundred eighty (5,280) feet.

(c)

The city manager is hereby authorized and directed to establish uniform rules and regulations for the administration and collection of the charges imposed by this section, including, but not limited to, payment standards for those persons who demonstrate economic hardship. Such rules and regulations shall comply with applicable laws and be submitted to, and approved by, the city council.

(d)

The following rates shall apply for mileage and for BLS and ALS fees:

Basic life support .....$425.00

Advanced life support .....525.00

Patient transport mileage, per statute mile from pickup to medical facility or facilities .....8.25

(e)

No charge shall be imposed on persons in the following instances:

(1)

Persons determined to be financially indigent by the city in accordance with administrative policies established pursuant to subsection (c) above;

(2)

Persons in the custody of the Newport News City Sheriff;

(3)

Persons in the custody of the city police department;

(4)

Persons in the custody of the Hampton Roads Regional Jail of which the city is a participating member;

(5)

During the time of a declared local emergency, the city manager may suspend the collection of the fees imposed under this article for a period of time up to fourteen (14) days or until the next regularly scheduled or special meeting of the city council whichever is less. The city council may extend the suspension of the collection of fees under this article for such period of time it deems necessary and appropriate; and

(6)

City of Newport News employees and its volunteers transported for any work related injury or illness.

(f)

If the emergency medical services charge is not paid by the person receiving the service, or any person agreeing in writing to pay for said service, after notice to pay is given by the office of the city attorney, the ambulance service charge shall be immediately due and payable, and such person or persons shall be liable for the payment of such amount. In addition thereto, the aforesaid person or persons shall be liable to the city for a collection fee in the sum of thirty-five dollars ($35.00), said fee representing administrative costs to the city for collecting the debt. Tender of payment and acceptance of the amount originally due the city under subsection (d) above shall not constitute satisfaction, after written notice to pay is given by the office of the city attorney, unless and until the collection fee is paid.

(Ord. No. 6124-05, § 1; Ord. No. 6385-07, § 1; Ord. No. 6680-10, § 1)

Editor's note—

Ord. No. 6680-10 shall be in effect on and after July 1, 2010.

Secs. 16-61—16-69. - Reserved.