HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 24-1811INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 24-1811
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
March 5, 2024
Page 1 of 2
SUBJECT: INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR 350 BELKNAP ARRESTEE
EMS CARE & TRANSPORT
The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide information on the interlocal agreement (the
"Agreement") between the City of Fort Worth (the "City") and the Metropolitan Area EMA Authority
("MedStar") that outlines how emergency medical service (EMS) is provided for City of Fort Worth
Police Department (FWPD) arrestees when they experience medical emergencies while in FWPD
custody. The Agreement also states the terms and conditions under which the City will reimburse
Medstar for EMS provided to individuals in FWPD custody.
Background
Individuals in the custody of the FWPD are transported by police car to the City's holding facility at
350 West Belknap (the "Belknap Facility"). The arrested individual is processed into the Belknap
Facility and detained until a Fort Worth Magistrate determines probable cause and thereafter
transferred to the Tarrant County Sherriff's Department (the "County") through the adjoining
underground tunnel or otherwise released from FWPD custody. Once transferred to the County,
the arrested individual is no longer considered in the custody of the FWPD and their medical care
becomes the responsibility of the County. The Tarrant County Hospital District, by and through the
JPS Health Network ("JPS"), is tasked with providing care for County inmates. Medstar and JPS
are currently negotiating the terms of an agreement that will cover EMS, and its associated costs,
for those individuals in the County's custody.
When an arrested individual complains of a medical condition necessitating the activation of EMS
for treatment and transport to the hospital before being released from FWPD custody MedStar is
activated to provide medical care and/or transportation. This happened about 508 times in FY23.
MedStar bills the individual's insurance provider. However, if the individual does not have
insurance, the balance is written off as uncollectable.
The 350 Belknap Facility
The Belknap Facility is a detention center for individuals arrested by FWPD. It is designed to
temporarily hold arrested individuals and is not equipped with medical equipment, and due to space
constraints, there is no onsite medical care. When arrestees experience a medical emergency, 911
is called and MedStar is dispatched to handle the incident. Not all incidents result in hospital
transport.
Arrestee EMS Data
Arrestee Patients By Fiscal Year — 350 Belknap
FY 19
FY 20
FY 21
FY 22
FY 23
Insured
107
77
91
67
173
Written Off
301
293
338
216
335
Total Patients
408
1 370
1 429
1 283
1 508
Interlocal Agreement
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 24-1811
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
March 5, 2024
Page 2 of 2
SUBJECT: INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR 350 BELKNAP ARRESTEE
EMS CARE & TRANSPORT
The Agreement is similar to the agreement MedStar utilizes with all the hospitals in the MedStar
system, except that the rates for inmate transfers are set at the Medicare fee schedule (matching
the JPS' contract rates). The purpose of the Agreement is to state the understanding between the
City and Medstar concerning the provision of EMS for individuals in FWPD custody.
According to the Agreement, Medstar will provide medical evaluation, treatment, and transportation
for emergency and non -emergency calls for service to persons confined in City holding facilities or
otherwise in the custody of FWPD or its contractors. The Agreement requires Medstar to staff any
ambulance providing this service with at least two individuals licensed or certified to render
emergency medical care. Medstar will also make the initial determination whether a transport is an
emergency or non -emergency situation.
The City initiates the services by contacting Medstar and requesting service. Medstar will charge
the City fees as determined by the centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services fee schedule in
effect for the locality at the time services are provided. Medstar will provide the City with a monthly
invoice to include detailed information such as the date of service, relevant locations, miles
traveled, costs, and the information concerning the individual who required EMS. The initial term of
the Agreement will be for one (1) year with unlimited annual renewals thereafter. The total cost will
be an annual amount not to exceed $250,000.
Next Steps
City staff and MedStar are working together to evaluate opportunities to better align care provided
with the medical complaints of the arrestees. There is a mutual desire to ensure the arrestee
medical needs are addressed with the most appropriate resources, that may not always be an
ambulance and EMS crew.
For questions regarding this report, please contact:
Ken Simpson, MedStar CEO at ksimpson(a)medstar911.org;
Valerie Washington, Assistant City Manager at Valerie.Washington(a-fortworthtexas.gov;
Police Chief Neil Noakes at neil.noakes(a)fortworthtexas.gov; or
Fire Chief James Davis at iim.davis(a�fortworthtexas.gov.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS