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County Administrator's Report 12. 5.

BCC Regular Meeting

Discussion

Meeting Date:	06/06/2019
Issue: EMS Billing Assistance
From:	JOHN DOSH
Department:	Public Safety
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning EMS Billing Assistance - John Dosh, Interim Public Safety Director

That the Board choose one of the following options concerning EMS billing assistance:

A. Approve and authorize the Interim County Administrator to sign the Agreement between Escambia County, Florida, and Fire Recovery EMS, per the terms and conditions of PD 18-19.055, EMS Billing Assistance, at a rate of $22.50 per processed claim, with an estimated contract amount of $180,000 - $200,000 for the processing of all outstanding claims within the next 100 days, with no additional training required; or

B. Approve and authorize the issuance of a Purchase Order to Blue Arbor in the amount of $100,000, for the temporary employment of additional Medical Records Technicians to assist the EMS Billing Department with the processing of all outstanding claims. These temporary employees will require additional training, which could delay the completion of the billing process for outstanding claims beyond the end of this Fiscal Year.

[Funding: Fund 408, Emergency Medical Service Fund, Cost Center 330603, Object Code 53401]

BACKGROUND:

As a result of changing Software providers for EMS Operations, the EMS Billing Department has a back-log of outstanding claims. In order to process all outstanding claims prior to the end of this fiscal year, the EMS Billing Department requires the assitance of additional manpower.

Under the terms of the proposed Agreement, Fire Recovery EMS would process all outstanding claims at at rate of $22.50 per claim with an estimated contract amount of $180,000-$200,000 for the processing of 8,000-10,000 claims. The Agreement provides for term of 100 days to allow 10 days for the contractor ro gain remote access to the County's software, 90 days for the processing of all outstanding . The contractor must has significant experience with the billing and coding process and is familiar with the EMS billing software. The Contractor would complete the processing of all claims prior to the end of this fiscal year without the need for additional training.

The proposed Agreement was previously dropped from the 5/16/19 BCC agenda and the Board directed staff to research other options for EMS billing assistance.

In the alternative, additional staff may be temporarily employed through Blue Arbor to assist the EMS Billing Department with the processing of all outstanding claims. These temporary employees will require additional training, which may delay the completion of the billing process for all outstanding claims beyond the end of this fiscal year.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

Funding: Fund 408, Emergency Medical Service Fund, Cost Center 330603, Object Code 53401

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

The Agreement was prepared by Senior Assistant County Attorney Kristin D. Hual.

PERSONNEL:

N/A

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

This Recommendation is in compliance with the Escambia County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 45, Finance, Article II Purchases and Contracts.

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

The Office of Purchasing will issue the Agreement and Purchase Order.

Attachments
Agreement