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Regional EMS contract talk: AMR proposes steep per-ride increases if readiness fee not paid
Summary
Council members and EMS 2 representatives reported that AMR proposed a roughly 53% per-ride increase for ambulance transports absent a readiness fee; alternatives include paying a readiness fee shared among jurisdictions to stabilize per-ride costs. No formal council action was taken; staff will follow up in a special meeting.
Representatives of EMS 2 reported to the council Oct. 20 about contract negotiations with American Medical Response (AMR). The presenter said Vancouver’s exit from the joint contract means AMR proposed a substantial increase in per-transport fees if no readiness fee is paid. Current Advanced Life Support (ALS) transport rates the presenter cited are about $18.83; AMR’s proposed ALS rate is $26.47 and the Basic Life Support (BLS) proposed rate is $22.29. The presenter said the proposed rate structure reflected the need to increase unit-hour deployment and other costs after splitting the contract.
Staff explained a readiness fee is an alternate model to stabilize per-ride prices; Vancouver reportedly agreed to a $1,000,000 readiness fee while EMS 2’s suggested fee was $500,000. The readiness-fee option would be paid pro rata by participating governments and could reduce per-ride billing for residents, but some details — including whether the readiness fee is a one-time payment or recurring and how it would be apportioned — remained to be clarified.
Council members asked whether other providers had been sought; staff said timing precluded a full RFP and that AMR’s proposal was presented to participating cities and the district. The presenter said staff expected to hold a special meeting within a few weeks to advance decisions.
Ending: The city manager and EMS 2 will pursue additional information about readiness-fee terms and apportionment and the council will consider the matter at a special session.
