STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Safety
AGENDA DATE: May 11, 2022
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Fire-Rescue Department
EXECUTIVE: Jon Fortune
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize a five-year collection contract, with two one-year renewal options, for the billing, collection and reporting of emergency ambulance fees for Fire-Rescue Department with Digitech Computer, LLC through an interlocal agreement with The City of Bryan, Texas - Estimated Annual Net Revenue: General Fund $27,600,000
Body
BACKGROUND
This collection contract will allow for continued billing, collection, and reporting of emergency ambulance fees.
The Fire-Rescue Department has over 202,000 emergency medical runs and approximately 95,500 transports annually. These calls are serviced by 43 full time and 3 peak demand ambulances. Digitech Computer, LLC (Digitech) receives the electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR) secured file from ePCR system at the end of the day. Billing, collection and reporting services includes, but not limited to the following services:
• Process all patient records for billability according to the set regulations and requirements by payers, as applicable
• Invoice appropriate payers for patient’s claim
• Provide collection services resulting in remittance of the payment into the City’s designated bank accounts
• Provide reports on a monthly basis, and on as needed basis
Digitech has been providing billing, collection and reporting of emergency ambulance fees to the City of Dallas since February 2012. Digitech also provides billing, collection, and reporting of emergency ambulance fees for other municipalities in Texas such as:
• City of Bryan
• City of Plano
• City of Houston
• City of Richardson
• City of Mesquite
• City of Garland
Additionally, Digitech has worked with Public Consulting Group, a Boston-based national firm that has led the way in developing effective Medicaid Cost Recovery programs around the country, to compile and file the necessary reports for the Texas Ambulance Supplemental Payment Program (TASPP). Through the TASPP, the City of Dallas has recovered over $115M in additional funds through FY 2021. The vendor requires all of their professional coders to be Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services coding certified. Ambulance billing is Digitech’s only focus, and they will continue to provide the City of Dallas with service of the highest quality and exceptional compliance while maximizing revenue.
The Interlocal Purchasing Agreement is authorized by Chapter 791 of the Texas Government Code and Subchapter F, Chapter 271, Texas Local Government Code. Section 271.102 of the Texas Local Government Code which authorizes a local government to participate in a Cooperative Purchasing Program with another local government or a local cooperative organization.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On May 24, 2017, Council authorized a three-year collection contract, with two one-year renewal options, for the billing, collection and reporting of emergency ambulance fees with Digitech Computer, Inc. through an Interlocal Purchasing Agreement with the City of Pearland, Texas by Resolution No. 17-0826.
FISCAL INFORMATION
Estimated Annual Net Revenue: General Fund $27,600,000
M/WBE INFORMATION
In accordance with the City’s Business Inclusion and Development Policy adopted on September 23, 2020, by Resolution No. 20-1430, as amended, the M/WBE participation on this contract is as follows:
|
Contract Amount |
Procurement Category |
M/WBE Goal |
M/WBE % |
M/WBE $ |
|
$27,600,000.00 |
Revenue |
N/A |
NA |
NA |
|
• The Business Inclusion and Development Policy does not apply to Interlocal Purchasing Agreements. |
|
• Digitech Computer, LLC - Non-local; 0.00% Local |
PROCUREMENT INFORMATION
|
Interlocal Agreement/Inter governmental Agreement |
• Interlocal agreements/intergovernmental agreements allow the City to take advantage of competitively bid contracts by a State agency or local government and enable the City to purchase goods or services at lower prices |
|
|
• Interlocal agreements/intergovernmental agreements entered into pursuant to Chapter 271, Subchapter F of the Texas Local Government Code satisfy the state law requirements for competitive bidding |
OWNER
Digitech Computer, LLC
Mark Schiowitz, President