05/27/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Lane County Medical Society is willing to participate in a review and investigation if the council desires. e Public hearing was closed. Ann Mooney stated that Medicare only pays 80 percent of the allow- able charge on a bill and the person must come up with the remainder. Most insurance companies will only pay the additional 20 percent of the allowable charge, which means that if the allowable charge is lower than the rate charge, the person must pay the additional fee. In talking with people on fixed incomes, she has found many who will not call the ambulance and will rely on private transportation or other means to get to the hospital because they know they do not have the money to pay the amount that their insurance will not cover~ Mr. Henry stated that this is not a medical district situation; instead Medical Services is the only licensed operator in the city. In rebuttal, Mr. Leonard stated in regard to Or. Yaeger's comment about the neonate rate, the new base rate would be $85 plus $2 per mile, which would be a special rate for neonates. Operating costs have gone up over 33 percent and they are only requesting a 23.7- percent increase. They would invite the Medical Society and the city councils of both cities to review their billing procedures. He gave copies of charges for 1979 to the City Council which included $261,100 that was charged off to bad debts, no patients, and charity in 1979. MSI does not control EMT training. They have been tryinq to get the Medical Society involved for 22 years. They will continue to cooperate in any way they can. e Recess was called. Mr. Obie stated the purpose is not to determine whether Medicare has a magic date or not, the purpose is to determine whether a rate increase is justified at this time regardless of the Medicare ques- tion. He requested that Mr. Leonard supply him with percentage figures on energy, labor, and equipment costs. Mr. Leonard responded that the price of gasoline has more than doubled since October of 1978. Personnel costs since October of 1978 have gone up 27.1 percent. Equipment costs are broken down into two categories; maintenance costs have gone up 58 percent and operating costs have gone up 33 percent. Mr. Obie asked if weighted figures were used and asked what the percentage would be using unweighted figures. Mr. Leonard replied that their controller had had emergency surgery that morning and he would get the answers for him later. Mr. Obie asked if any substations had been built since the last increase. Mr. Leonard responded that no substations had been built. The substation at 29th and Oak is ready to go when financing becomes available. e 5/27/80--8