TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Supervisor Williams
MEETING DATE: July 25, 2023
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Supervisor Williams
PHONE:
707-937-3500
ITEM TYPE: Consent Agenda
TIME ALLOCATED FOR ITEM: N/A
AGENDA TITLE:
title
Approval of Request to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Commissioner to Exempt Ambulance Regulations, Asserting an Exemption is Necessary for Public Health and Safety
(Sponsor: Supervisors Williams)
End
RECOMMENDED ACTION/MOTION:
recommendation
Approve request to the California Highway Control (CHP) commissioner to exempt ambulance regulations, asserting an exemption is necessary for public health and safety.
End
PREVIOUS BOARD/BOARD COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
None.
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
Since July 1, 2020, Adventist Health Mendocino has been operating an ambulance. Adventist Health Mendocino took over the previous ambulance provider from the Mendocino Coast Health Care District Hospital, as part of a larger deal to save the community hospital and various service lines the community relies upon. Generally, an ambulance provider is required to have a California Highway Patrol ("CHP") license, unless exempt from such requirement. Due to various difficulties facing AH Mendocino, including the COVID-19 pandemic and numerous challenges resulting from the transition in operations from the District Hospital, which was exempt from CHP licensure, AH Mendocino did not receive its own CHP license until April 27, 2022. The lack of licensure for the period between July 1, 2020 and April 27, 2022 may impact AH Mendocino's ability to bill Medicare and Medi-Cal for crucial and necessary ambulance services provided during this time to the Mendocino County community. Forgoing reimbursement for this period or returning payments would negatively impact AH Mendocino's ability to continue to be able to provide this critical service. AH Mendocino is committed to ensuring compliance with all state and local requirements. To that end, AH Mendocino...
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