Section 515.827  Ambulance Assistance Vehicle Provider Upgrades

a)         An ambulance assistance vehicle provider may submit a written proposal to the EMS Medical Director requesting approval of an ambulance assistance vehicle provider in-field service level upgrade. (Section 3.88(b) of the Act)

b)         An ambulance assistance vehicle provider may be upgraded, as defined by the EMS Medical Director in a written policy or procedure, as long as the EMS Medical Director and the Department have approved the proposal, to the highest level of EMT license (advanced life support/paramedic, intermediate life support, or basic life support) or Pre-Hospital RN certification held by any person staffing that provider's ambulance assistance vehicle. The ambulance assistance vehicle provider's proposal for an upgrade must include all of the following (Section 3.88(b-1) of the Act):

1)         The manner in which the provider will secure and store all advanced life support equipment, supplies, and medications. (Section 3.88(b-1)(A) of the Act)

2)         The type of quality assurance the provider will perform. (Section 3.88(b-1)(B) of the Act)

3)         An assurance that the provider will advertise only the level of care that can be provided 24 hours a day. (Section 3.88(b-1)(C) of the Act)

4)         A statement that the provider will have that vehicle inspected by the Department annually. (Section 3.88(b-1)(D) of the Act)

c)         If an ambulance assistance vehicle provider is approved to provide an in-field service level upgrade based on the licensed personnel on the vehicle, all the advanced life support medical supplies, durable medical equipment, and medications must be environmentally controlled, secured, and locked with access by only the personnel who have been authorized by the EMS Medical Director to utilize those supplies. (Section 3.88(b-2) of the Act)

d)         The EMS System shall routinely perform quality assurance, in compliance with the EMS System's quality assurance plan approved by the Department, on in-field service level upgrades authorized under this Section to ensure compliance with the EMS System plan. (Section 3.88(b-3) of the Act)

e)         The EMS Medical Director may define what constitutes an in-field service level upgrade through a written EMS System policy or procedure. An in-field service level upgrade may include, but need not be limited to, an upgrade to a licensed ambulance, alternate response vehicle, or specialized emergency medical services vehicle. (Section 3.88(b-3) of the Act)

f)         If the EMS Medical Director approves a written proposal for an ambulance assistance vehicle provider's in-field service level upgrade under this Section, he or she shall submit the proposal to the Department along with a statement of approval signed by him or her. Once the Department has approved the proposal, the ambulance assistance vehicle provider shall be authorized to function at the highest level of EMT license (advanced life support/paramedic, intermediate life support, or basic life support) or Pre-Hospital RN certification held by any person physically staffing the provider's ambulance assistance vehicle. (Section 3.88(c) of the Act)

g)         Nothing in this Section shall allow for the approval of a request to downgrade the service level licensure for an ambulance assistance vehicle provider. (Section 3.88(d) of the Act) 

h)         The Department will approve or deny the request based on the Department's review and determination of the provider's ability to comply with all requirements outlined in this Part. Any application found deficient or incomplete will be returned to the EMS System with a request for additional information, modification or clarification.

(Source:  Added at 43 Ill. Reg. 4145, effective March 19, 2019)