Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Public Safety Director to enter into a contract with CareWorks USA in the amount of $78,000.00 to provide prisoner medical claims services as needed for the Division of Police. The scope of services outlined in the City’s formal request for proposal (RFP) include: the creation and maintenance of an electronic medical claims database, coordination of billing with local medical providers, medical review of claims for appropriateness of charges and the utilization of Preferred Provider Networks.
The Division of Police is obligated to enforce the criminal and traffic ordinances of the City of Columbus and laws of the State of Ohio necessitating the apprehension and incarceration of violators. The Columbus City Attorney, through a memorandum to the Division of Police, has determined that the Division of Police is liable for the medical care of those injured or sick individuals who are under arrest or lawfully detained. The Division of Police continues to experience increasing costs associated with the review and payment of medical claims. The services provided by CareWorks USA will provide greater scrutiny of medical claims submitted to the Division as well as the added benefit of cost reductions available through Preferred Provider Networks.
Bid Information: An evaluation committee comprised of representatives from the Division of Police, completed a review of the two proposals submitted to the City in response to a formal request for proposal (RFP) SA004709 held on December 11, 2012. The committee recommended awarding the contract to CareWorks USA and sent notice to the other company, Group & Pension Administrators Inc of said recommendation. The vendor was selected based upon their initial response to the defined criteria listed in the RFP, subsequent response to follow-up questions from the committee, and adherence to the Columbus City Code requirement as the best, most responsible and responsive bidder.
Contract Compliance - 31-1775640 expires on 3/13/2015
Emergency Designation: Emergency legislation is requested to enable the Division of Police to immediately process the necessary paperwork to enter into a contract with CareWorks to continue the services to reduce claim costs.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the Safety Director to enter into a contract with CareWorks USA for services related to prisoner medical claims. The Division of Police had encumbered these funds through Ordinance No. 2799-2012 passed on December 17, 2012; however, due to the late bid opening of December 11, 2012 for prisoner medical services, SA004709, the Division was unable to recommend and negotiate the contract prior to the end of the year. This ordinance authorizes the already encumbered expenditure of $78,000.00 from the General fund with CareWorks USA for services related to prisoner medical claims.
Title
To authorize and direct the Public Safety Director to enter into contract with CareWorks USA for prisoner medical claim services and access to Preferred Provider Networks for the Division of Police; and to declare an emergency. ($78,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Division of Police is obligated to enforce the criminal and traffic ordinances of the City of Columbus and laws of the State of Ohio and in doing so, will continue to apprehend and incarcerate violators; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Police is liable for the medical care of injured and/or sick individuals who are under arrest or lawfully detained; and
WHEREAS, it is in the City's best interest to procure professional services to assist the Division of Police with the administration, review and payment of prisoner medical claims in the most efficient and cost-effective manner; and
WHEREAS, a formal request for proposal SA004709, for professional prisoner medical claims services was opened; and
WHEREAS, an evaluation committee comprised of representatives from the Division of Police, completed a review of the two proposals submitted to the City in response to a formal request for proposal (RFP) SA004709 held on December 11, 2012, in accordance with defined selection criteria, subsequent vendor response to follow-up questions from the committee; and Chapter 329.12 of the Columbus City Codes; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation committee recommended award to CareWorks USA, for professional prisoner medical claims services for the Division of Police; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Police, Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract for the review and processing of prisoner medical claims, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Public Safety Director be and is hereby authorized and directed to enter into contract with CareWorks USA for Prisoner Medical Claims services based on Solicitation Number SA004709, and using AC034476, in the amount of $78,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 3. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.