Explanation
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the Human Resources Director to enter into contract with United Healthcare Insurance Company to provide all eligible employees medical, prescription (RX), and tobacco cessation programs as well as eligible terminated employees with COBRA coverage from February 1, 2021 through January 31, 2022. The maximum obligation liability for medical, prescription, COBRA, and tobacco cessation services is $191,846,000.
BID INFORMATION: In 2019, a Request for Proposal, in accordance with Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code, was offered for medical and Rx programs.
United Healthcare Insurance Company was recommended as the medical and Rx insurance administrator. In addition, United Healthcare Insurance Company now provides delivery of the tobacco cessation and COBRA programs. The three year contract has two (2) one (1) year renewals. This ordinance represents year two of the three-year contract.
Cost estimates for 2021 are based on 2019 and 2020 benefit fund expenditures, using an average of actual city utilization, expected changes due to union negotiations, as well as input from insurance carriers and from the City's employee benefits consultant.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is requested to ensure the programs for city employees are able to commence as soon as contractually possible, thereby maintaining continuity of service.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is available from and within the 2021 Employee Benefits Fund for this contract. This ordinance is contingent on the passage of the 2021 insurance appropriation ordinance 0020-2021.
Title
To authorize the Human Resources Director to enter into a contract with United Healthcare Insurance Company and to provide all eligible employees medical, Rx and tobacco cessation programs and eligible terminated employees with COBRA coverage from February 1, 2021 through January 31, 2022; to authorize the expenditure of $191,846,000.00 from the Employee Benefits Fund, or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the costs of said contract; and to declare an emergency. ($191,846,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to enter into a contract with United Healthcare Insurance Company to provide all eligible employees medical, Rx and tobacco cessation programs and eligible terminated employees with COBRA coverage from February 1, 2021 through January 31, 2022; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of up to $191,846,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay contract costs for medical, Rx, COBRA, and tobacco cessation programs; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Human Resources in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract and expend funds to ensure the medical, Rx, COBRA and tobacco cessation programs are able to commence as soon as contractually possible, thereby maintaining continuity of service; Now, Therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Human Resources Director is hereby authorized to enter into contract with United Healthcare Insurance Company to provide medical, Rx, COBRA and tobacco cessation programs from February 1, 2021 through January 31, 2022.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $191,846,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for coverage is hereby authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment of this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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.