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1997-06 EMS Transport and Fee Schedule• ORDINANCE NO. b6-97 AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING AND ESTABLISHING THE NORTH PALM BEACH DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AS THE PRIMARY PROVIDER OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) AND EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES WITHIN THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, AND ALL CONTRACTED AREAS; ESTABLISHING PERIODIC REVIEW AND ADJUSTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE FEES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the Village of North Palm Beach Department of Public Safety has been authorized by the State of Florida and Palm Beach County to provide emergency medical and emergency transportation • services within the Village; and WHEREAS, the Village Council recognizes such authorization and is desirous that the Department of Public Safety maintain any and all necessary licenses and permits to provide such services and establish a fee schedule and billing procedure to recover a portion of its costs in providing such services. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: Section 1. Emergency Medical Services. The Department of Public Safety is hereby authorized and directed to obtain and maintain any and all necessary State of Florida licensing, vehicle permits and all necessary Palm Beach County Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity, pursuant • to Chapter 901, Florida Statutes and Palm Beach County Emergency Medical Services Ordinance and any subsequent applicable revised laws and ordinances, for the purpose of providing emergency medical • and trauma treatment and emergency transportation services in and for the Village of North Palm Beach, Florida. SubJect to an annual appropriation for such purposes, the Department of Public Safety is authorized and directed to staff and maintain any and all necessary equipment, materials and personnel to provide the appropriate level of emergency services capabilities at all times. The appropriate level of emergency services shall be determined by the Village Council. The Department of Public Safety shall maintain all necessary licenses and certifications as required and be designated as the primary provider of all manner of emergency medical and trauma treatment and emergency transportation services within the • Village limits of the Village of North Palm Beach, Florida. Emergency medical services shall be provided to any resident or visitor of the Village of North Palm Beach, regardless of their ability to pay, or their socio-economic status within the community. Section 2. Establishment of Fees for Emergency Medical Services. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Village Council shall, by resolution, establish fees to be charged for emergency medical services provided. Each year, during its annual budget review, the Village Council shall evaluate and may adJust or modify the fees charged. • • Section 3. Billing and Collection of Fees. The Finance Department is hereby authorized to establish a method of billing and collection of authorized emergency medical service fees to include, but not limited to the following: A. Contracting with other governmental entities, medical facilities or non-governmental entities to provide emergency medical services billing. B. Posting all payments as received. C. Responding to all patient requests and inquiries, concerning billing and collection of fees, either written or verbal. D. Complying with all applicable Federal, State, and • local laws as they apply to the billing and collection services being provided. This includes all requirements to maintain confidentiality for all medical and patient information as set forth in state and local laws or rules and regulations. E. Maintaining any and all documentation, records, and patient information in a secure manner that will allow inspection and audit by the Village, its agents, or other authorfzed•agencies or persons, upon proper notification. F. Providing appropriate financial reports. Section 4. If any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase or word of this Ordinance is, for any reason, held by a court to be unconstitutional, inoperative or void, such holding • shall not affect the remainder of this Ordinance. Section 5. All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances in • conflict herewith are hereby repealed. Section 6. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon passage. PLACED ON FIRST READING THIS 9th DAY OF JANUARY lgg7, PLACED ON SECOND, FINAL READING AND PASSED THIS 23rd DAY OF JANUARY 1997. (VILLAGE SEAL) ATTEST: •