1992-129e:wpdocs\emsm.o
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON AMENDING CHAPTER 27 OF THE CODE
OF ORDINANCE BY THE ADDITION OF ARTICLE V THERETO ESTABLISHING AN
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE; PROVIDING FOR PROCEDURES
AND AUTHORIZING CHARGES THEREFORE; ESTABLISHING MEMBERSHIP FEES;
AND PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE.
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. That Chapter 27 of the Code of Ordinances is
amended by adding a new article to read as follows:
ARTICLE V. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
Section 27-107. Emergency Medical Services Membership
Program.
(a) Purpose and Authority. This article establishes a medical
emergency subscription program, as authorized by Chapter 773 of the
Health and Safety Code, to be known as the Denton Fire Department
Emergency Medical Services Membership Program, hereafter known as
Denton Emergency Medical Services (DEMS). The purpose of DEMS is
to offer a program to members of residential households that would
cap their emergency medical service and ambulance transportation
costs while reducing the loss of llfe and disability.
(b) Administration. The Fire Chief shall be responsible for
the development of written rules, policies, and procedures relating
to the implementation and the administration of DEMS not inconsis-
tent with this section. The Fire Chief shall report on a yearly
basis to the city Manager and the City Council on the status of
DEMS. Each report shall include a full financial statement of the
financial status of DEMS.
Section 27-108. Eligibility and Enrollment.
DEMS shall be open to any person or any household of any city
or area served with emergency ambulance services by the City of
Denton. Members receiving utilities from the City of Denton may be
charged the annual fee through the utility billing.
Section 27-109. Member Benefits.
Members who join DEMS shall receive the following benefits
offered by the Denton Fire Department:
(1) For insured members, the payment of the uninsured costs,
i.e. the deductible or co-pay portion or any exclusions
under medicare or medicaid of prehospital emergency
medical services, including:
(a) Basic Life Support (BLS) services;
(b) Advance Life Support (ALS) services; and
(c) Ambulance transportation services.
(2) For uninsured members, the payment of one-half of the
regular charge of prehospital emergency medical services,
including:
(a) Basic Life Support (BLS) services;
(b) Advance Life Support (ALS) services; and
(c) Ambulance transportation services.
(3) For members, upon request, maintain a Medical Information
File which may contain:
(a) Medical information to responding paramedic unit;
(b) Minor child treatment release; and
(c) Member's physician designation.
(4) For members, upon request, maintain Emergency Contact
File (optional)
(a) Notification of parents at work;
(b) Notification of other family members; and
(c) Senior citizen family contact.
Additional member benefits may be added at the discretion of
the Fire Chief.
Section 27-110. DEMS Membership Fees.
The DEMS membership fee charged to each household shall be an
annual fee in an amount established by the City Council, and kept
on file in the office of the city Secretary. Payment of the fee
shall entitle any individual or permanent resident of the household
to receive DEMS benefits. Guests and visitors or others not a
permanent resident shall be charged directly for ambulance
services.
Section 27-111. Duty to Respond.
Under no circumstances will delivery and application of
available emergency medical services or ambulance transportation
services be delayed or refused based upon whether or not a person
is a member of DEMS or can demonstrate an ability to pay for the
services.
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Section 27-112. Termination.
DEMS may be cancelled by a majority vote of the City of Denton
city Council. If the Council chooses to terminate the program
prior to the new program year, the City may, at its option, refund
membership fees on a prorated basis. The city shall be obligated
to provide thirty (30) days written notice to members prior to
program termination.
SECTION II. That the membership fee shall be $36.00 for each
household. This sum shall be payable in advance or a person or
household may enroll in the program by applying at the City's
Utility Customer Service Department. If a person or household
wishes to pay the enrollment fee with his utility payments, the
city shall impose a charge of $3.00 on each monthly billing. This
sum shall be payable upon receipt. In the event a person fails to
pay his utility bill on or before the due date, he shall not be
eligible for the benefits of DEMS.
SECTION III./~ha~ this ordinance shall become effective on
the /~a~ day of ~~-~ , 1992, and the City Secretary
is hereby directed Co cause the caption of this ordinance to be
published twice in the Denton Record-Chronicle, the official news-
paper of the City of Denton, Texas, within ten (10) days of the
date of its passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the ~Tq/-~day of ~ , 1992.
BOB CASTLEBERRY, MAY~
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
DEBRA A. DRAYOVITCH, CITY ATTORNEY
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