NEWPORT BEACH : City Increases Budget for Paramedic Van Supplies

Because hospitals no longer furnish medical supplies for emergency vehicles, Newport Beach has increased its paramedic budget by $119,000 for the current fiscal year.

An Aug. 15 change in how Medicare regulations are enforced has prompted hospitals across Orange County to stop stocking paramedic vans with supplies such as splints and bandages. Insurance reimbursement for those supplies now must be made through providers of emergency transport, rather than through hospitals.

The City Council, which approved a $17,000 paramedic appropriation last month, has added $102,000 to that. The city also revised its fee schedule to allow the Fire Department to bill insurance carriers for the medications and disposable supplies used during emergency calls.

Newport Beach recovers about 60% of what it spends on emergency calls, which is “about the standard for collections,” Fire Chief Timothy D. Riley said.

Riley said he will have a report to the council within six weeks on the actual cost, including purchase of medical supplies, of providing life-support services.