[Adopted 10-4-1977]
[Amended 9-1-2009]
The purpose of this article is to create a Commission
to study rates for ambulance service provided by the City, recommend
rate schedules to the City Council and oversee the collection of payments
to the City.
[Amended 9-1-2009]
The Ambulance Commission shall consist of five
members, each of whom shall serve for a term of three years and will
be nominated by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. Upon
passage of this article, the appointment of the first Commission members
shall initially be as follows: one member shall be appointed for three
years, two members shall be appointed for two years, and two members
shall be appointed for one year.
A.
The Commission shall have the power to study the rates
for ambulance service and, from time to time, shall recommend a rate
schedule to the City Council, who shall establish ambulance service
rates. After the Council establishes rates, the Commission shall have
the power to oversee the collection of payments to the City as hereinafter
specified.
[Amended 9-1-2009]
B.
As soon as practical after their appointment members
of the Ambulance Commission shall hold an organizational meeting and
elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary, who shall be chosen
by a majority vote of the members present and voting.
C.
The Chairman shall have the duty of calling all regular
meetings of the Commission upon 48 hours' notice posted according
to law. His duties shall include presiding over meetings of the Commission
and all functions traditionally given to a Chairman. In the absence
of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman shall serve in that capacity. The
Secretary shall record the minutes of each meeting and shall be responsible
for transmitting all minutes and documents received by the Commission
to the City Clerk upon dissolution of the Commission. A special meeting
of the Commission shall be called upon written request of three members.
Three members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum.
D.
Payments due.
[Amended 7-5-1978[1]; 9-3-2002 by Ord. No. 02-47]
(1)
The Chief of the Fire Department, on behalf of the
Ambulance Commission, shall keep a record of the use of the ambulance.
On behalf of each, the Chief of the Fire Department shall assure that
the necessary documents are forwarded to the contracted billing agency
to ensure payment for the use of the ambulance service. The contracted
billing agency will issue a bill for the use of the ambulance and
provide a list of payments due to the City. The contracted billing
agency, on behalf of the Ambulance Commission and the Chief of the
Fire Department, will file a list of payments due to the City with
the City Treasurer and City Auditor.
(2)
The Chief of the Fire Department will sign and forward
to the Ambulance Commission, City Treasurer and City Auditor a list
of customary partial abatements as they are received from the contracted
billing agency. Customary partial abatements are those granted to
Medicare, Medicaid, MassHealth and others required by statute or agreement.
(3)
If any person does not have the ability to pay for
the ambulance service, he/she may petition the Ambulance Commission
for an abatement of the bill. The Ambulance Commission shall investigate
the application for abatement and, at its discretion, hold a hearing
on the matter. The Ambulance Commission shall have the power to grant
the abatement in full; grant a partial abatement; or deny the abatement.
(4)
At least quarterly, the Ambulance Commission shall
list abatements granted. The list of abatements shall be signed by
the Chairperson of the Ambulance Commission, or its designee, and
forwarded to the contracted billing agency, City Treasurer and City
Auditor.
[1]
Editor's Note: This amendment also repealed
former Subsection E.
A.
So long as ambulance service shall be provided by
the City of Chicopee, it shall be available to all persons who are
in need of said service as per emergency conditions as to Fire Department
guidelines in effect and who are transported from within the City
limits.
[Amended 7-5-1978]
B.
Nothing contained in this article shall interfere
with the power of the Fire Chief or any other department head who
is assigned to the ambulance to administer the operation of the ambulance
service.
