Altavista EMS 2006 Comprehensive Plan Highlights
(effective January 01, 2006)
To initiate a “fee for service” using a scale considered as reasonable/customary for providing emergency ambulance services in this region of Virginia as suggested by a billing consultant/contractor.
a.) BLS=$350.00 b.)ALS1=$450.00 c.) ALS2=$575.00
d.) mileage rate=$8.25/per loaded mile
(the fee schedule currently in effect is very similar to the schedule utilized in the nearby City of Lynchburg) At this time no service(s) provided by Altavista EMS will result in an associated fee other than those services provided wherein a patient is actually transported to a medical facility/hospital/etc. A detailed description of how this program works can be reviewed on our link “Why Bill For EMS Services?”
Emergency services will be provided regardless of patient’s ability to pay in all cases. * Fees to be reassessed and/or adjusted upon implementation of countywide fee structure to match various localities structure.
Provide (2) Advanced Life Support capable paid EMS support crews with alternating hours between 6A-6P Mon-Fri.
* Paid support staff will only be used in Altavista EMS’s Designated Emergency Response Area. Volunteer staff will routinely continue to respond as before for move up/mutual aid calls if available. A discretionary deviation procedure will exist; however, wherein at the discretion of either the agency operational officer(s) or the most senior agency member available in cases of extenuating circumstances, paid support staff could be utilized
outside of these parameters.
Initiate incentive program for all volunteer EMS Providers utilizing sliding scale based on training level for all calls resulting in a patient transport.
*This will help maintain agency morale by striking a harmonious balance between career staff/volunteer staff. This will also enable the agency to gain added hours of available EMS Providers by replacing some of the existing providers part-time jobs & putting them back on the street where their skills are in constant high demand.* (an added benefit to this type of program in tying an incentive scale to training levels in turn should serve to encourage volunteer EMS personnel to upgrade to advanced training levels ultimately making available more EMS Providers with higher levels of training available for community EMS services)
Continue working with Altavista-Hurt area industries & businesses and the Town of Altavista to continue allowances of use of their employees who are agency members in case(s) of multiple working calls, shift carry-over calls, and any other unusual agency needs such as tactical rescue, etc. creating instant needs for EMS personnel beyond those immediately available to respond.
Realign the already existing Altavista EMS administrator’s & administrative assistant’s duties to manage various elements of new programs. Administrative staff will utilize agency website to continuously make available updates and other important information related to services provided by Altavista EMS available to the general public.
Responsibility for Altavista EMS’s quality survey program will be realigned to it’s contracted consultant & billing firm, Diversified Ambulance Billing (DAB).
Responsibility for Altavista EMS’s routine vehicle/equipment checks program will be realigned to paid EMS career/support staff.
Periodically spare time of EMS career/support staff will be utilized to rove in various Designated Emergency Response Area and/or mingle at other community gatherings or events to enhance agency involvement and relations in community-oriented events and other activities.