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Presentation by Wittman Enterprises updating the Board on its performance during the first year of providing ambulance billing services on behalf of the County's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency.
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Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: N/A
Background: Since July 1, 2007, the County has contracted out ambulance billing services to Wittman Enterprises in an effort to improve the efficiency of billing activities for emergency services at a reduced cost. During the Department's budget hearings in June, the Board asked that Public Health return with a review of Wittman's performance over its first year of service and that it report back to the Board. Staff has requested that Wittman make that presentation. The most notable outcomes from contracting with Wittman over the past year were as follows:
A smooth transition of billing functions from the EMS Agency;
Monthly summary reports were received by County on time;
Prompt response from Wittman to all inquiries or requests for information ;
Demonstrated an excellent net collection rate (64.4%) of all outstanding ambulance bills;
Prompt and effective billing of services;
Interfaced well with County's Revenue Recovery; and
An overall satsifactory performance, as judged by Department staff.
Staff further reviewed Wittman's performance based on three categories: operational goals achieved, scope of work completed, and financial outcomes. In that order, staff's assessment of Wittman's performance was as follows:
Wittman substantially met the specific requirements outlined in the contract scope of work with some minor exceptions noted. Online access to its billing database allowed County's liaison to review all El Dorado County accounts for data entry accuracy and appropriate activity. The responsiveness of Wittmans senior management and technical support personnel has also been highly satisfactory.
The scope of work for the Wittman contract involves sixteen deliverables. Of those sixteen, thirteen were met satisfactorily with three determined by staff to be in need of improvement. Specifically, the Department requested that Wittman improve its verification and entry of data into its billing system within 48 hours of receipt, that it bill auto insurance prior to billing medical carriers, and that it improve how it handles the customer service needs of the patients and clients. Staff is confident in Wittman's ability and willingness to meet these requests.
Wittman has met all billing requirements as stated in the agreement's scope of services. It has verified and entered all PCR data into its billing system (Zoll) within 48 hours of receipt; calculated applicable charges according to the current ambulance rate schedule for all profit centers; researched addresses, guarantors, and payment sources to obtain appropriate billing information when not provided on the PCRs; set up paper and electronic billing media to better serve patients and clients; followed up on all accounts to insure the maximum legal reimbursement for the County, including all rebilling requirements when initial billing has been denied; posted all payments and adjustments to accounts in a timely manner and has responded to any and all inquiries; maintained access to legal counsel (and County staff) on responses to subpoenas and potential lawsuits; maintained and preserved all books, records, data, etc. per contract requirements; provided standard monthly and custom reports on a timely basis; processed (overpayment) refunds as necessary with appropriate documentation; and transferred collection accounts to the El Dorado County Revenue Recovery Department on a timely basis.
The Public Health Department Finance Division and EMS Agency are pleased with the professionalism of Wittman's staff, the quality and quantity of work performed, and the swift and pleasant response received to its inquiries and requests.
Contact: Dan Buffalo
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