IAEP Urges LA City Council to Adjust Ambulance Rates

The International Association of EMTs and Paramedics (IAEP) supports the full adoption of the proposal before the Los Angeles City Council Transportation (LADOT) Committee for an ambulance rate adjustment.

In a letter sent to the LADOT committee this week, the IAEP urged the committee to adopt the fixed, uniform rate model for ambulance reimbursement in order to "help maintain the strong foundation of Los Angeles’ private ambulance system... ensure equal access for patients, and reaffirm the City’s commitment to patient-centered care."

This proposed rate model would be instrumental in improving the health and wellbeing of all Los Angeles residents.

LADOT’s proposed rate model advances a fair and equitable process for ambulance reimbursement while avoiding the challenges of “maximum” rate models seen in other areas. In those models, large payers drive reimbursement downward, which reduces stability and limits ambulance services’ ability to properly invest in the workforce and by extension, ambulance readiness.

The fixed rates— as proposed by the LADOT— protect access to quality prehospital healthcare in every neighborhood and ensure ambulance services continue to be judged by quality and outcomes, not price. They also protect strong union jobs in the region.

The IAEP represents thousands of EMS professionals across the state of California, with more than 1,000 of these members living and working in LA County.

"Our members serve the public every day—saving lives and ensuring the residents of LA remain safe," wrote IAEP National Director Phil Petit in the letter. "By aligning rates with rising costs and establishing a fair annual adjustment, this proposal would strengthen the system’s long-term sustainability so that ambulances can continue to show up in a timely fashion when residents call for help."

It would also assure IAEP members that they can continue to serve their communities without worrying if continually rising costs will outpace their incomes.

In sum, adoption of this proposal would directly supporting the city’s first responders and the residents that they selflessly serve. 

You can read the full letter of support below.