Bonsignore presents FDNY savings plan
Bonsignore outlines three savings initiatives: EMS treatment-in-place revenue ($10.1M), ambulance fee increases ($24.6M), and telecom contract renegotiation ($2.2M), achieving savings without harming operations.
When I was here for the department's preliminary budget hearing, we spoke about the department's savings plan and our determination to save taxpayer money without negatively affecting fire or EMS operations.
I am gratified that the Mayor's Executive Budget accomplishes this by creating three areas of savings that do not affect operations or negatively impact fire department members.
The first initiative increases EMS revenue by enabling the department to collect payment for treatment in place.
Under existing practice, if an ambulance responded to a medical call, provided treatment, stabilized the patient, but the patient ultimately decided to refuse transportation to the hospital,
the department was entirely unable to bill for that care.
However, Medicaid will soon begin reimbursing emergency medical service providers for the provision of care without transport, and the fire department will begin collecting payment
for treatment in place and seeing the benefits of this practice.
The second component of the department savings plan is a periodic increase in EMS ambulance fees.
Ambulance rates are adjusted every few years based on the actual cost of operating EMS.
These rates were last adjusted about three years ago.
The current rate proposal reflects cost updates experienced since that time.
This includes a variety of increases in costs borne by the department, including but not limited to spending on auto parts, maintenance staff,
IT support staff, and maintenance agreements, costs associated with purchase of vehicles, and EMS labor costs.
We understand that these costs may present a challenge for some patients, and we have programs for self-pay patients who are unable to pay their bill.
This includes a charity care program as well as a settlement program.