Basic Life Support Transport Services

SEA-MC tit. 3, subtit. II, ch. 3.16, subch. VI

in effect

Seattle Mun. Code ch. 3.16, subch. VI, § 3.16.400 Definitions

3.16.400 - Definitions As used in this Subchapter VI: "BLS" means basic life support. "BLS transport" means transportation by ground ambulance vehicle and the provision of medically necessary supplies and services, including BLS ambulance services as defined by chapter 18.73 RCW, as amended. "Insurance" or "insurer" include, at a minimum, Medicare and Medicaid. "Resident" means a person whose principal place of residence is in Seattle. (Ord. 127140, § 1, 2024)

Seattle Mun. Code ch. 3.16, subch. VI, § 3.16.410 BLS transport user fee imposed

3.16.410 - BLS transport user fee imposed A. All persons receiving BLS transport by the City shall be charged and billed a BLS transport user fee. The fee is $950 per transport plus $15 per mile. The Fire Chief or designee is authorized to establish procedures to implement, bill, and collect the fee. B. A resident who supplies the City with the medical insurance information and documentation needed to bill the resident's insurance provider for the fee, and who assigns insurance benefits for the same to the City, shall not be billed for any portion of the fee above amounts paid by the resident's insurer(s). A nonresident taking the same steps shall be billed for any portion of the fee above amounts paid the nonresident's insurer(s). Any person who does not take these steps shall be billed for the entire fee. (Ord. 127140, § 1, 2024)

Seattle Mun. Code ch. 3.16, subch. VI, § 3.16.420 Construction with Medicare and Medicaid requirements

3.16.420 - Construction with Medicare and Medicaid requirements Charges for the BLS transport authorized by this Subchapter VI shall be construed and implemented in a manner consistent with Medicare and Medicaid requirements as applicable. If any method or procedures authorized by this Subchapter VI for the purpose of establishing, implementing, imposing, or collecting charges for BLS transport is found to conflict with Medicare and/or Medicaid requirements, those Medicare and/or Medicaid requirements control. (Ord. 127140, § 1, 2024)

Seattle Mun. Code ch. 3.16, subch. VI, § 3.16.430 Policy and financial assistance

3.16.430 - Policy and financial assistance A. It is the City's policy that ability to pay is not a condition of BLS transport service. All aspects of emergency medical services the City currently provides, including BLS transport, shall be provided to all patients without discrimination toward those with no or inadequate ability to pay. B. The Fire Chief or designee shall establish a program consistent with criteria and rules set forth in WAC 246-453-001 through 246-453-060, as amended, to provide financial assistance and debt forgiveness to persons that do not have the ability to pay for some or all of the fee. (Ord. 127140, § 1, 2024)

Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT3AD_SUBTITLE_IIDEOF_CH3.16FIDE_SUBCHAPTER_VIBALISUTRSEFetched: 11/1/2026