Ariz. Admin. Code § 9-25-1108

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section R9-25-1108 - Implementation of Rates and Charges (A.R.S. Sections 36-2232, 36-2239)

A. Except as provided in A.R.S. § 36-2239(B) and (E), a certificate holder shall not institute a new general public rate, new contract rate or range of rates, or subscription service rate before receiving from the Department an approval of the new general public rate, new contract rate or range of rates, or subscription service rate.

B. Under A.R.S. § 36-2232(A)(1) and (4), the Department may periodically review and, if appropriate, adjust rates and charges for a ground ambulance service to ensure that the rates and charges are just, reasonable, and sufficient.

C. A certificate holder shall assess rates and charges as follows:

1. When calculating a rate or charge:

a. Omit fractions of less than 1/2 of 1 cent; or

b. Increase to the next whole cent, fractions of 1/2 of 1 cent or greater;

2. When calculating the number of miles for a transport, use one of the following, with the number of miles rounded as specified in subsection (C)(1):

a. The ground ambulance vehicle's odometer reading,

b. Software designed to calculate mileage, or

c. A regional map;

3. When calculating the reimbursement amount for mileage of a transport, multiply the number of miles for the transport by the mileage rate;

4. When transporting two or more patients in the same ground ambulance vehicle, assess to each patient:

a. Fifty percent of the mileage rate and one hundred percent of the ALS or BLS base rate; and

b. One hundred percent of:

i. The charge for each disposable supply, medical supply, medication, and oxygen-related cost used on the patient; and

ii. Waiting time assessed according to subsection (E); and

5. When agreed upon by prior arrangement to transport a patient to one destination and return to the point of pick-up or to one destination and then to a subsequent destination, assess only the ALS or BLS base rate, mileage rate, and standby waiting rate for the transport.

D. When a certificate holder transfers a patient to an air ambulance, the certificate holder shall assess the patient the rates and charges for EMS and transport provided to the patient before the transfer.

E. A certificate holder shall assess a standby waiting rate in quarter-hour increments, except for:

1. The first 15 minutes after arrival to load the patient at the point of pick-up;

2. The time, exceeding the first 15 minutes, required by ambulance attendants to provide necessary medical treatment and stabilization of the patient at the point of pick-up; and

3. The first 15 minutes to unload the patient at the point of destination.

F. When a certificate holder responds to a request outside the certificate holder's service area, the certificate holder shall assess the certificate holder's own rates and charges for EMS or transport provided to the patient.

G. When the Department or the certificate holder determines that a refund of a rate or a charge is required, the certificate holder shall refund the rate or charge within 90 days after the date of the determination.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-25-1108

New Section adopted by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 1098, effective February 13, 2001 (Supp. 01-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 30 A.A.R. 581, effective 3/7/2024.