| Item Title: | HR - First Amendment to the Workers' Compensation Cost Containment Services Agreement |
| Submitted By: | Melissa M. Carrillo, PHR, Chief Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department (915) 546-2218 |
| Subject: | Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the First Amendment to the Workers’ Compensation Cost Containment contract between the County of El Paso and Argus Services Corporation for medical bill auditing, pre-authorization and medical case management services. Funding is available in IS-WC-WORKERS COMP-ADMIN. (Contract No. 2019-0687) |
| Background: | The County of El Paso is a Self-lnsured Governmental Entity that provides coverage under Workers' Compensation. On September 11, 2014, the Commissioners Court awarded RFP #14-038 to Argus Services Corporation for the County’s workers compensation cost containment services.
Cost containment services is a requirement of the Texas Department of Insurance which provides assurances that medical bills are being reviewed for relatedness to the Workers Comp injuries and that medical treatment and costs are consistent with state approved guidelines. Cost Containment services include medical bill review; pre-authorization of certain medical services; and EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) filings and related documents to the Texas Department of Insurance.
The original agreement was for a term of three years with the option for two 1-year extensions ending on September 30, 2019. The Human Resources Department through the Purchasing Department distributed a new RFP for Workers Compensation Cost Containment Services and the responses are currently under review. Argus Services Corporation and County have determined that an amendment to the contract is necessary for continued services. The First Amendment to the Argus Services Agreement incorporates a contract extension on a month-to-month basis not to exceed 12 months or until an RFP is awarded and a new contract is developed.
The County Attorney Office has reviewed the First Amendment to the Services Agreement between the County of El Paso and Argus Services Corporation. (2019-0687). |
| Fiscal Impact: | FY 2015 $60,114.00
FY 2016 $71,103.00
FY 2017 $80,437.00
FY 2018 $62,847.00
FY 2019 $50,793.75 (as of 9/16/19)
FY 2020 $32,529.40 Projected for 6 months
IS-WC-WORKERS COMP-ADMIN
COIS-5002-0000000-431-10-10000-0001-00000-550004-
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| Recommendation: | Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the First Amendment to the Workers’ Compensation Cost Containment contract between the County of El Paso and Argus Services Corporation for medical bill auditing, pre-authorization and medical case management services. Funding is available in IS-WC-WORKERS COMP-ADMIN. (Contract No. 2019-0687)
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| Prior Action: | September 11, 2014. Commissioners Court awarded RFP #14-038 to Claims Administrative Services (CAS) for Third Party Administration of the County’s workers compensation claims and Argus Services Corporation for the Cost Containment Services.
April 27, 2015 Agenda Item #8. Commissioners Court approved contract 2014-0504 with Argus Services Corporation for the Cost Containment Services of the County’s workers’ compensation claims.
September 18, 2017 Agenda Item #15. Commissioners Court approved the First Exercise of Option to Renew Agreement (2017-0555) between the County of El Paso and Argus Services Corporation for the County’s Workers Compensation Cost Containment Services.
September 24, 2018 Agenda Item #17. Commissioners Court approved the Second Exercise of Option to Renew Agreement (2018-0573) between the County of El Paso and Argus Services Corporation for the County’s Workers Compensation Cost Containment Services. |
| Strategic Plan: | .. |
| Strategic Plan Information: | |