County EMS seeks to reference state ambulance rate rule in fee schedule to avoid yearly ordinance changes

San Juan County Emergency Medical Services staff asked commissioners on Oct. 21 to update the county’s consolidated fee schedule so ground ambulance and standby fees reference the state EMS administrative rule rather than hard‑coded amounts in county ordinance.

Jeremy, speaking for EMS, said the county’s ambulance and standby fees are out of date and that the Utah state administrative rule for ambulance rates changes periodically. He suggested the county’s fee schedule include a reference to the state rule so the county would not need to return each year for a separate ordinance change and public hearing when the state updates rates.

Commission members and staff reacted favorably to the idea of referencing the state administrative rule for ambulance rates to reduce repetitive local rule changes. Commissioners noted the complexity of ambulance billing and that collection rates (staff cited typical collection rates of 30%–40% of billed charges) make it difficult for EMS to operate at a profit solely on current fee schedules. Staff also said Medicare and Medicaid policy changes on disposable supplies affect collections and that a bill under discussion at the legislature may address some private‑payer reimbursement issues.

Commissioners asked EMS to submit a proposed ordinance amendment referencing the state administrative rule and to identify the specific fee categories that would be tied to the state rule. Staff said they would prepare a draft ordinance and schedule any required public hearing for consideration at a later meeting.