01/20/2015 Minutes CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
January 20, 2015
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session of the City Council of the City of Grand
Island, Nebraska was conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 100 East First Street, on
January 20, 2015. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on January
14 2015.
Mayor Jeremy L. Jensen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following Councilmembers
were present: Mitch Nickerson, Mark Stelk, Chuck Haase, Julie Hehnke, Linna Dee Donaldson,
Vaughn Minton, Roger Steele, and Mike Paulick. Councilmember Michelle Fitzke was absent.
The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Marlan Ferguson, City Clerk
RaNae Edwards, Interim Finance Director William Clingman, City Attorney Robert Sivick, and
Streets Superintendent Shannon Callahan.
Mayor Jensen introduced Community Youth Council members Lauren Webb and Miranda
Keiper and board member Randy See.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Ambulance Billing Presentation by Life Line Billing Systems, LLC dba. LifeQuest Services.
Fire Chief Cory Schmidt reported that this item was being brought back from the October 28,
2014 Council meeting to answer questions from Council. Currently the Finance Department was
processing the billing of all ambulance department services. A Request for Proposals (RFP) was
sent out in August 2014 in search of an Ambulance and Fire Department billing service provider.
Three responses had been received and reviewed with a recommendation of approving a contract
with Life Line Billing Systems, LLC, doing business as LifeQuest Services.
Chief Schmidt introduced LifeQuest CEO Michael Finn and Client Relations/Sales Manager Tim
Rosin who presented a PowerPoint regarding their services. The following advantages of a
billing partner versus in-house were: results, expertise/experience, costs/efficiency, compliance,
trained and certified expert staff and the technology they used. Mentioned were revenue recovery
results, knowledge in Local, State and Federal Rules, Regulations and Laws, licensed/bonded
collection agency, and internal compliance audits.
The billing process would have a seamless workflow, information verification, hospital database
accessibility, claim accountability, report card tracking, quality assurance, and accountability.
All inquiries would be addressed promptly by knowledgeable and friendly bilingual staff All
incoming and outgoing calls would be digitally recorded. There would also be toll free access
numbers with 24 hour customer service coverage from Sunday 4:30 p.m. through Friday 5:30
p.m.
Reviewed was the implementation process. LifeQuest would assist with the billing database
setup, all regulations, customized reporting and best practice assessments. They would train all
Page 2,City Council Study Session,January 20,2015
— — personnel on documentation and medical necessity, train the trainers for ongoing sessions, and
provide follow up training sessions via audio, webinar, or in person. They also would provide
quarterly/annual reviews and comparative reports.
Megan Wichman, 423 Maple Street, Dannebrog, NE spoke in support of keeping the ambulance
billing in-house. Ms. Wichman answered questions regarding coding.
Interim Finance Director William Clingman commented on the cost of keeping this in-house and
the training needed. Discussion was held regarding a full-time in-house position, salary,
difference in medical coding and ambulance coding, and training requirements.
City Attorney Robert Sivick commented on the initial proposal submitted regarding an opt out
clause. He stated this item could be brought back, but if anything other than the original proposal
was approved it would have to be re-bid. Fire Division Chief Russ Blackburn answered
questions regarding the process currently used at the City.
Mr. Finn explained the collection process for late and/or delinquent bills. Phase I would be
strictly billing at 6%, Phase 2 would be soft collection at a rate of 22%, and Phase 3 would be
legal action on delinquent bills at a rate of 34%.
Discussion was held regarding the options before council. Mr. Ferguson commented on the
bottom line of increasing revenue for the City.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
POn as- ED t,J
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk