Agenda Item Name:
Title
Agreement on Medical Claims for Arrestees and Detainees between Alachua County and Wellpath LLC. and termination letter for Professional and Hospital Services for Prisoners with Shands and the University of Florida Health Care Network.
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Presenter:
Ron Akins 352-337-6248
Description:
Staff is requesting the Board approve the Agreement on Medical Claims for Arrestees and Detainees between Alachua County and Wellpath LLC. for clinical management, claims review and the processing of payments for arrestees or detainees where the County has payment responsibility per Florida Statute 901.35 and interpreted by the County Legal Department. Wellpath, Inc has direct contracts with Shands and the University of Florida Health Care Network, therefore staff is requesting approval of the termination letter for Professional and Hospital Services for Prisoners with Shands and the University of Florida Health Care Network.
The current agreement will terminate 60 days after the approval of the termination letter.
The Alachua County Sheriff has submitted its termination to Shands and the University of Florida Health Care Network letter on January 15th, 2022.
This agreement with Wellpath, Inc. will allow the continuation of services currently being provided by Corizon Health Inc.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the Agreement on Medical Claims for Arrestees and Detainees between Alachua County and Wellpath LLC. and approve the termination letter for Professional and Hospital Services for Prisoners with Shands and the University of Florida Health Care Network.
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Prior Board Motions:
None
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
No fiscal impact for the agreement with Wellpath, Inc. The FY22 Adopted Budget for County responsible inmate medical care is $2,500,000. (001.36.3661.529.31.60)
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Strategic Guide:
All Other Mandatory and Discretionary Services
Background:
The Alachua County Sheriff placed a Request for Pricing (RFP) seeking proposals for
Medical and Behavioral Healthcare services for the Alachua County Jail inmates. Wellpath, Inc is the successful vendor to take over operations on February 1, 2022. Wellpath, Inc will also serve as the Third Party Administrator for off-site medical claims review and the processing of payments for jail inmates where the Jail has the financial responsibility.
Wellpath, Inc. has offered to serve as the Third Party Administrator for off-site medical claims review and the processing of payments for jail inmates, arrestees or detainees where the County has the financial responsibility per Florida Statute 901.35. Wellpath, Inc has negotiated reimbursement rates with Shands and the University of Florida Health Care Network.
Prison Health Services (PHS) became the Sheriff's vendor for inmate medical care on January 1, 2006. At the July 11, 2006 BoCC meeting, the Board approve a contract with Prison Health Services, Inc. (PHS), to (1) manage outside medical care provided to persons ill or injured when arrested in Alachua County and taken to the hospital before booking into the Jail and (2) pay medical providers for their claims for the costs of such care. Since the original agreement, PHS and Corizon Health Inc. have merged and the merged company is now referred to as Corizon Health, Inc. (Corizon).
Paid claims are reconciled with the County on a monthly basis and the County reimburses Corizon for its payments. Corizon has also agreed to manage and pay claims for outside care for indigent arrestees (also called "detainees"), similar to a third-party administrator, according to the terms of the contract. Corizon has the experience, expertise and is ideally positioned to provide this service; its location at the Jail provides easy access to inmates with "prior to booking" claims in order to follow up on the appropriateness of care and the inmate's ability to pay.
Wellpath, Inc. will take over these services 60 days after the signing of the termination letter with Shands and the University of Florida Health Care Network. The County will continue its agreement with Corizon Health, Inc. until all previous medical claims are processed and paid.