City Council approves new ambulance program

The Oklahoma City Council voted unanimously today to implement Emergency Medical Services Authority’s (EMSA’s) TotalCare program citywide for $3.65 per month per household.  The service will begin on October 1, 2009.   

Households will automatically be enrolled in TotalCare, though residents may choose to opt out of the plan in September.  
 
Under the new ordinance, residents participating in the program will pay no out-of-pocket expenses for emergency ambulance rides given by EMSA to permanent members living in their household.  
 
The fee will be billed on homeowner’s City utility bill.  The first billing cycle begins on October 1, 2009, which is the first day coverage begins for participants.

When a participant is transported to the hospital by EMSA for an emergency, the ambulance service will collect money from the resident’s insurance, Medicaid or Medicare.  
 
Residents will be able to opt out of the program from September 1 to September 30, 2009 by calling Utilities Customer Service, accessing their account at www.okc.gov <http://www.okc.gov/> or by submitting a form. No action will be needed for homeowners wanting to participate in the program.  
 
The Council also agreed to send a recommendation to the EMSA Board of Trustees to increase the rate for emergency EMSA ambulance transport services from $720 to $1,100.    

The increase aligns Oklahoma City’s ambulance transport rate with those charged in Tulsa, but is still cheaper than fees in Midwest City and Norman.  Oklahoma City’s last increase was in 1995.

Program details will be sent to households this summer explaining the ambulance program and providing opt out information.
 
The ambulance program was established to help cover the difference between what it costs to provide an effective ambulance service and the revenue brought in by EMSA. The City’s support for EMSA in the 2008-2009 is budgeted $4.1 million and will continue to rise over the years.