REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 4, 2026
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SUBJECT
Title
Letter of Agreement with Inland Empire Health Plan Related to Emergency Medical Ground Transport Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District:
1. Approve Letter of Agreement with Inland Empire Health Plan, allowing the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District to receive reimbursement from Inland Empire Health Plan for the cost of providing emergency medical ground transport services to members enrolled with Inland Empire Health Plan, for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
2. Direct the Secretary of the Board of Directors to maintain confidentiality of the agreement identified in Recommendation No. 1, pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 1457(c)(1).
(Presenter: Dan Munsey, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, 387-5779)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Foster Sustainable Development Through Strategic Partnerships.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of these recommendations will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The recommended Letter of Agreement (Agreement) with Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) will allow San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) to continue to receive reimbursement from IEHP for the costs of providing emergency medical ground transport services to members enrolled with IEHP. Sufficient appropriation and revenue for the Agreement are included in SBCFPD’s 2026-27 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
IEHP is a public initiative Healthcare Maintenance Organization Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan Provider in San Bernardino County. IEHP is also a Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan Provider under the Intergovernmental Transfer Program with the California Department of Health Care Services.
SBCFPD provides emergency medical ground transport services to IEHP members and receives reimbursement from IEHP for those services. On February 27, 2024 (Item No. 61), the SBCFPD Board of Directors (Board) approved Letter of Agreement No. 24-149 with IEHP for emergency medical ground transport services for the term of July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2025.
For continuing services, IEHP’s practice is to issue a new Letter of Agreement rather than amend an existing agreement. On December 16, 2025 (Item No. 118), the Board approved Letter of Agreement No. 25-119, which authorized SBCFPD to continue receiving reimbursement from IEHP for services provided during the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
IEHP now seeks to continue its agreement with SBCFPD for emergency medical ground transport services provided to IEHP members for services provided from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The recommended Agreement will allow SBCFPD to continue receiving reimbursement from IEHP for the services provided.
The term of the Agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2026, because SBCFPD received the proposed Agreement from IEHP on July 9, 2026. This item is being presented at this time because this is the first available Board date following completion of the required operational, fiscal, and legal reviews.
Either party may terminate the Agreement without cause by providing the other party 30 working days’ prior written notice. Pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 1457(c)(1), specific terms related to the rates of payment for health care services are not immediately subject to public records disclosure requirements. Therefore, the Secretary of the Board is directed to maintain confidentiality of this Agreement.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 13, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Jessica Trillo, Principal Administrative Analyst) on July 17, 2026.