House of Representatives
SB
1151
ambulance services; response
time; compliance
Sponsors: Senators Gerard, Guenther, Cirillo;
Representative Gullett
DPA
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Committee on Commerce & Economic Development
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Third Read
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As Passed the House
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SB
1151 requires the Department of Health Services (DHS) to consider the impact of
hospital diversions and delays when reviewing response time compliance of
ambulance services as it is assessed for certificates of necessity.
Current Status
SB 1151
passes the Health Committee amended to require the Director of DHS to also
consider the number of ambulances actively engaged within an assigned service
area when evaluating a Certificate of Necessity.
History
In accordance with Arizona Statutes, DHS
regulates ambulance services. The primary means through which the department
regulates ambulance services is certificates of necessity. The certificate of
necessity outlines the service area, level of service, type of service, hours
of operation, response times, effective date, expiration date, legal name and
address of ambulance service and any special provisions.
According
to Rule, when the Director of DHS determines response times for ambulance
service certificates of necessity they consider:
·
Differences in scene locality.
·
Requirements of a 9-1-1 or similar dispatch system.
·
Requirements in a contract approved between a ground
ambulance service and a political subdivision.
·
Medical prioritization for the dispatch of a ground
ambulance vehicle and any other matters determined relevant by the director of
DHS.
Hospital
diversions and delays are not currently considered during the issuance of a
certificate of necessity. At present ambulances are experiencing increasing
levels of hospital delays and diversions. These delays may result in fines for
ambulance services and penalty in the form of disfavorable certificates of
necessity.
Provisions