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Redmond staff propose billing for basic ambulance rides, aim to keep residents’ out-of-pocket costs at zero
Summary
Redmond interim fire deputy proposed a Basic Life Support ambulance transport billing program that would bill insurers (private, Medicare, Medicaid), write off unpaid balances to the EMS levy, and set a recommended fee of $1,000 plus $20 per mile while an independent study suggested a higher fee. Council scheduled the ordinance for consent consideration on Nov. 19.
Interim Deputy Chief Michael Despain told the Public Safety and Human Services Committee on Oct. 15 that Redmond is proposing a Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance transport billing program that would align the city with neighboring jurisdictions and bill insurers rather than charging residents directly.
Despain said the package before council includes a municipal-code-authorized fee of $1,000 plus $20 per mile and an EMS study that recommended a fee of $2,809. He said the city can legally bill private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, and write unpaid balances off against the EMS levy so residents who live or work in the coverage zone will pay no out-of-pocket cost.
"Residents will pay nothing out of pocket," Despain said. He defined the proposed coverage zone as people who live or work in Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland or Fire District 34 and said those agencies are aligning billing procedures to avoid resident charges across the zone.
At council questions, Vice President Forsyth asked about the financial-assistance flowchart, noting the proposal uses 200% of HUD poverty guidelines to determine eligibility and suggesting a more graduated approach. Despain said the write-off policy follows King County practice and that city leadership could choose a more forgiving standard administratively.
Council member Fields confirmed the proposal contains no additional on-scene or other special fees beyond the base fee and per-mile charge. Despain also told council the city could bill retroactively (CMS allows limited retro billing), and that an interlocal agreement with Fire District 34 would be needed to share billing administration.
Council President Kritzer indicated she was "ready to move this to consent," and the committee agreed to place the municipal-code amendment and related ordinance on the Nov. 19 consent calendar for council consideration.
If approved, staff said the ordinance and implementing policy would include a financial-assistance procedure and that the chief operating officer could adopt more forgiving exceptions in individual cases.
