An Emergency Medical Services First Responder Fee, permitted under Roseville Municipal Code chapter 9.27 and State law, is a cost recovery mechanism for first responder paramedic services.
Why does Roseville have an Emergency Medical Services First Responder Fee?
Not all cities have firefighters who are also paramedics, as we do in Roseville. This enhanced level of service protects our community to a greater degree. First responder fees have become an industry standard among cities with this response capability to help offset the cost of the enhanced paramedic level of service provided by engine and truck companies. The purpose of the fee is to ensure that those requiring life support services resulting in transport to a hospital pay the costs of receiving those services.
The majority of the calls for service that our Fire personnel respond to are medically related, and often are administered to non-Roseville residents (meaning people visiting to shop, work, or leisure). The Emergency Medical Services First Responder Fee ensures the level of service is maintained and that those people utilizing the services pay the reasonable costs for those services. Only those who receive life support services resulting in transport to a hospital are charged this fee.
On October 7, 2020, Roseville City Council adopted Section 9.27 of the Roseville Municipal Code - Emergency Medical Services First Responder Fee. This code adoption allows the City to collect fees related to the cost of providing emergency medical services that require transportation to the hospital by ambulance for both city residents and nonresidents.
Who is charged the fee?
Only those who receive life support services resulting in transport to a hospital are charged this fee.
How is the fee determined and who pays?
The amount of the fee is based on the cost to provide services. This includes personnel, equipment and materials costs; a public agency cannot profit from a fee. This fee will only be charged to patients who receive medical life support services from a first responder unit (Engine or Truck) and are transported to a hospital by ambulance. Because pre-hospital care is a critical component of the healthcare system, most insurances cover the Emergency Medical Services First Responder Fee.
Don't tax revenues cover this service?
The principle rationale for the Emergency Medical Services First Responder Fee is that local government fire department services have expanded well beyond the traditional fire suppression generally supported by the City’s share of sales and property tax revenues . The change in balance from fire suppression to medical services has shifted the rationale for funding fire department operations from primarily tax revenues to a combination of tax revenues and user fees.
Why have I received a Emergency Medical Services First Responder Fee bill?
You have received this bill because you received medical care from a first responder and you were transported to the hospital by ambulance.
If you received a bill, we may not have obtained your medical insurance information or your medical insurance does not cover this bill. If you have questions about your specific bill, please contact our billing company Whitman Enterprises at 866-385-6552.
What if I can’t afford the fee?
The fee is typically covered by commercial insurance, workers compensation, auto insurance, and finally private payers. A compassionate clause is also included to provide relief to private payers without the financial ability to pay. If you feel you cannot afford your bill, please call 916-774-5877 or email firefirstresponderfee@roseville.ca.us to discuss qualifications for a possible fee waiver or payment plan.