HomeMy WebLinkAboutFD Emergency Medical Services BillingSAN RAFAEL
THE CITY WITH A MISSION
Agenda Item No: 4.d
Meeting Date: August 7, 2017
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Fire —�
Prepared by: Christopher Gray, Fire Chief City Manager Approval:
TOPIC: EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) BILLING AND COLLECTION
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION APPROVING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
WITTMAN ENTERPRISES, LLC (WITTMAN) FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL
SERVICES (EMS) BILLING AND COLLECTION SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT
ESTIMATED TO BE $85,000 ANNUALLY FOR FIVE YEARS
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution approving a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Wittman Enterprises, LLC
(Wittman) for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) billing and collection services in an amount
estimated to be $85,000 annually for five years.
BACKGROUND:
The San Rafael Fire Department responded to approximately 9,000 calls in Fiscal Year 2016/2017. Of
these, approximately 5,700 calls (63%) were Emergency Medical Service (EMS) incidents, and
approximately 4,100 patient transports were made.
Residential and commercial properties within the City of San Rafael pay for most of the costs of
responding to EMS incidents via a paramedic service tax. This tax, which was first adopted in 1979,
currently is set at a rate of $92 per year for each living unit and $0.125 per square foot of residential
space. Three additional jurisdictions (Marinwood Community Services District, County Service Area
13, and County Service Area 19) also pay the paramedic service tax.
Additionally, San Rafael's Master Fee Schedule includes an Emergency Ambulance Response
Reimbursement ("Ambulance Billing Fee"), which is assessed to a patient's medical insurance provider
as reimbursement for medical and transport services provided by the Fire Department. The Emergency
Ambulance Response Reimbursement is a collection of six different fees: ALS Bundled Base Rate,
BLS Bundled Base Rate, 1St Responder Charge, Oxygen, Mileage/mile, and Treat/Non-Transport. San
Rafael, Marinwood, CSA -13, and CSA -19 residents do not pay the Ambulance Billing Fee directly;
however, non-residents may be assessed a portion of the fee if they do not have an insurance provider
or if the provider does not pay the amount requested.
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
File No.: 4-3-657
Council Meeting: 08/07/2017
Disposition: Resolution 14375
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
Since Fiscal Year 2010/11, the Fire Department has used its own staff to collect the Ambulance Billing
Fee. A 75% Fixed -Term Ambulance Billing Specialist position, along with a portion of the Accountant
position, is dedicated to collecting the fee. Average annual revenue from the Ambulance Billing Fee
from FY13/14 through FY 15/16 (the most recent year with complete data) was approximately $2.36
million.
ANALYSIS:
EMS billing is time-consuming and complex, requiring compliance with laws and regulations regarding
health-care delivery, insurance, and privacy. In recent years, even with dedicated staff resources,
revenue collection has not matched budget projections. By using a third party, the Fire Department
would avoid interruptions in revenue collection resulting from staff -related absences, allowing for billing
and revenue collection to occur on a more predictable and reliable schedule. As a result, staff
anticipates that more revenue will be collected by outsourcing EMS billing.
Staff recommends outsourcing ambulance billing and collection to Wittman Enterprises, LLC, a Rancho
Cordova -based EMS billing services company. Founded in 1991, Wittman has more than 100 public
EMS clients, most of which are in California, and has an excellent reputation among municipalities for
optimizing revenue collection.
Wittman proposes a fee of $19.50 per billable incident. This rate is highly competitive compared to
standard industry fees, and includes the option for staff to re-evaluate at a later point and potentially
switch to a more favorable fee schedule. Staff estimates that the fee will range from $77,000 to
$85,000 in FY 17/18, depending on assumptions about how EMS call volume compares to prior years.
The high end of the range assumes a 6.5% increase in call volume compared to FY 16/17.
Wittman also will assist with collecting revenue from past incidents in which a bill has already been
sent, but money has not been received.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Staff projects that fees paid to Wittman would range from $77,000 to $85,000 per year, depending upon
the actual volume of billable services. These costs are highly likely to be offset by a combination of
revenue increases and cost reductions.
Wittman estimates revenue collection of approximately $2.57 million in FY 17/18, an 8.7% increase
from the three-year average of $2.36 million from FY 13/14 through FY 15/16. (FY 16/17 data are
incomplete, but revenue is expected to be lower than in prior years.) Wittman's estimate is
approximately $20,000 greater than the FY 17/18 budget projection of $2.55 million for in-house
ambulance billing revenue. Given key staff absences so far in FY 17/18, however, it is doubtful that the
target of $2.55 million can be collected in-house, whereas staff has confidence in Wittman's revenue
projection.
Additionally, eliminating the fixed -term Ambulance Billing Specialist position would save the Fire
Department approximately $52,000 per year.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options to consider on this matter:
1. Adopt resolution.
2. Adopt resolution with modifications.
3. Send back to staff and direct changes to be made.
4. Take no action.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the resolution.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. Exhibit 1 to Resolution - Professional Service Agreement between San Rafael Fire
Department and Wittman Enterprises, LLC
RESOLUTION NO. 14375
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
APPROVING A FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH WITTMAN ENTERPRISES, LLC
(WITTMAN) FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) BILLING AND
COLLECTION SERVICES.
WHEREAS, the San Rafael Fire Department received approximately 5,700
Emergency Medical Service (EMS) incident calls in Fiscal Year 2016/17 and expects similar call
volume in Fiscal Year 2017/18; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael's Master Fee Schedule includes an
Emergency Ambulance Response Reimbursement ("Ambulance Billing Fee"), which is assessed
to a patient's medical insurance provider as reimbursement for medical and transport services
provided by the Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, the Fire Department anticipates that outsourcing EMS billing to
Wittman will result in timelier collections and a more efficient ambulance billing process, with
more revenue collected than under the current in-house process; and
WHEREAS, on June 20, 2017 the Fire Department received a proposal from
Wittman Enterprises, LLC for EMS billing and collection services during a five-year term, at a
rate of $19.50 per incident; and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the proposal from Wittman Enterprises, LLC and
found it to be complete and within industry standards.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of San
Rafael hereby approves and authorizes the City Manager to execute a Professional Services
Agreement (PSA) with Wittman Enterprises, LLC (Wittman) for Emergency Medical Services
(EMS) billing and collection services, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "1" and
incorporated herein by reference, subject to final approval as to form by the City Attorney.
I, ESTHER C. BEIRNE, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the
foregoing resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the
Council of said City on the 7th day of August 2017, by the following vote, to wit:
AYESCOUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Colin, Gamblin and Mayor Phillips
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: McCullough
A-- .a&4 -r
ESTHER C. BEIRNE, City Clerk
AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL AMBULANCE BILLING SERVICES
BETWEEN CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
AND WITTMAN ENTERPRISES, LLC
This Agreement made and entered into this,!?Nday of SGPT 2017, by and between City of
San Rafael, hereinafter referred to as "PROVIDER," and Wittman Enterprises, LLC, hereinafter
referred to as "W.E."
RECITALS
WHEREAS, PROVIDER desires to use the billing service offered by W.E. an independent
contractor, as its agent for the purpose of performing the services described in SECTION 2. SCOPE
OF SERVICES.
WHEREAS, concurrently with entering into this Agreement the parties are also entering into the
HIPAA Business Associate Agreement ("HIPAA Agreement"), attached hereto and incorporated by
this reference as though fully set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, this Agreement is the "UNDERLYING Agreement" as defined by and reference in
the HIPAA Agreement.
WITNESSETH: That the parties hereto have mutually covenanted and agreed, and by these
presents do covenant and agree with each other as follows:
1. TERM: This Agreement shall commence on the date it is executed by W.E. and PROVIDER
and it shall continue in full force for five (5) consecutive years with an option to renew for two (2)
additional years unless terminated by either party, giving ninety (90) days advance written notice to
the other party.
2. SCOPE OF SERVICES: W.E. will perform services as detailed in this section. PROVIDER
understands, agrees to, and accepts that W.E. has no responsibility or obligation for determining the
accuracy of any claims made to governmental agencies, and that W.E. relies on PROVIDER for
submission of complete and accurate information.. All services provided pursuant to this
Agreement shall also be subject to the terms and conditions of the HIPAA Agreement. To the
extent there is any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the
HIPAA Agreement, the HIPAA Agreement will control.
2.1 Private Billing
W.E. to prepare all invoices and follow-up mailings. Initial invoicing with both English and
Spanish instructions will be on 8 x 11 billings and will be placed in envelopes, sealed and
mailed, postage prepaid. Initial invoicing occurs within four (4) days of receipt of transport
tickets. The Patient may also have the option to receive billing electronically. A toll free
800 -like telephone number will be provided to patients. An initial telephone call will also
U 3-U51
be made at this time to elicit any insurance information from the patient or patient's family.
If they receive no answer on this call, W.E will send an inquiry letter in addition to the
initial invoice. The standard bill schedule is as follows:
Private Bill Schedule
1. Invoice Immediately
2. Statement 30 days
3. Past Due 20 days
4. Final Demand 10 days
2.2 Medicare and Medicaid
W.E. will prepare all invoices and electronically convey to Medicare and Medicaid fiscal
intermediaries within seven (7) days of receipt patient documentation.
All secondary and coinsurance billing will be transferred immediately to the appropriate
secondary pay source and billed within 24 hours to that source.
2.3 Workers' Compensation and Private Insurance
W.E. will bill private insurance, supplemental insurance, secondary insurance and Workers'
Compensation billed according to specific requirements. Electronic billing of insurance
companies is performed where appropriate. Any correspondence for additional information
or follow up necessary to secure insurance payments will be performed by W.E.
2.4 Delinquent Claim Handling
Telephone follow up by W.E. at a minimum of 3 calls will continue to the patient until
payment in full is received, acceptable payment arrangements are established or account is
returned to the PROVIDER for collection or other handling. W.E. will provide PROVIDER
a report listing all accounts that have been inactive for six (6) months in a format specified
by PROVIDER.
2.5 Receipts Processing
W.E. will accept payments in the form of cash, check, money order, cashier's check or
credit card. All cash receipts will be deposited and posted within one (1) day of receipt of
funds. All funds will be deposited into a PROVIDER -designated bank account. Bank
deposit receipts will be sent electronically to PROVIDER. W.E. shall have no access to
the proceeds of the receipts. All funds are under the exclusive control of PROVIDER.
And/Or
W.E. will receive electronic copies of payments deposited by PROVIDER and post those
payments to the correct patient account within one (1) day of receipt.
All credit card fees incurred through payment processing will be the responsibility of the
PROVIDER. A credit card processor;'merchant account will be designated and set up by
PROVIDER.
2.6 Refunds: W.E. will research and verify all overpayments. If a refund is required,
W.E. will submit electronically all supporting documentation to PROVIDER upon
completion of research. PROVIDER will issue payment directly to specified party and
will send an electronic copy to W.E., to be posted to the Patients account within 24 hours.
2.7 Reports
Monthly, W.E. will perform accurate month end close procedures that will result, as a
minimum, in the following reports:
o Monthly Ticket Survey
o Monthly Sales Journal
o Monthly Cash Receipts Journal
o Monthly Receivables Aging
o Management A/R Analysis
o Statistical Reports customized to client needs
Such reports will be available to PROVIDER on the 15`h day of the month following the
date of service, or ten (10) business days after the final submission of patient care records
from the previous month
2.8 Source Documents
W.E. will retain in electronic format all source documents including attachments for six (6)
years from the date of the reported incident. When service contracted is terminated, all
source documents are returned to PROVIDER in an electronic format at PROVIDER's
expense.
3. COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT: W.E. will provide the billing services as stated for a
fee as outlined in 3.1. If PROVIDER wishes to change their fee schedule from a per -incident
formula to a percentage of net collections formula, this negotiated rate will be added to the existing
contract by manner of a contract amendment. W.E. will invoice Provider at the end of each month.
Invoices are payable upon receipt and shall be deemed late if not received by W.E. within thirty
(30) calendar days of the invoice date.
3.1 Fees
A. EMS Billing and Collections Service (New Work) $19.50 per incident
B. EMS Billing and Collections Service (Old Work) $17.50 per incident
(Existing uncollected billings exported from PROVIDER's
billing system to W.E.'s system for collection services)
C. Monthly reports
Included
W.E. will provide PROVIDER financial information for EFT payment of invoices.
4. FINANCE CHARGE: WE invoices unpaid by more than forty-five (45) days are subject to a
monthly interest charge of 1 1/2% unless in dispute.
5. AGENCY RELATIONSHIP: W.E. is an independent billing service contractor and
PROVIDER specifically designates W.E. as its agent for the purpose of performing the services
described in Section 11 of this Agreement. W.E. and PROVIDER agree that the intermediaries for
Medicare and Medicaid may accept claims prepared and submitted by W.E. on behalf of
PROVIDER only so long as this Agreement remains in effect.
5.1 Liaison: PROVIDER shall assign a liaison for conference and communication of any
matters subject to the services provided by the contract.
5.2 Coordination of Services: W.E. and PROVIDER mutually agree that person(s) who
have knowledge of this agreement and the legal capacity to comply with this agreement
shall be available for conference at all regular business hours (central time). Each party
agrees that during a time that this agreement is in effect, the responsible contact person(s)
will be available at all regular business hours (central time) for communication or other
matters of this agreement. The current contact information as of the signing of this
agreement is:
Primary Contact for W.E.
Name: Jennifer Gentry
Title: Client Liaison
Address: 11093 Sun Center Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Phone: 916-669-4621
Email: jgenti-v6,webillems.com
Primary Contact for PROVIDER
Chris Grav
Fire Chief
1600 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 345
San Rafael, CA 94903
415-485-3084
5.3 Training: W.E. will provide annual revenue enhancement training for EMS and
financial staff. This includes four (4) hours of teleconference, webinar or Skype-facilitated
training for PROVIDER general staff and six (6) hours for PROVIDER'S EMS
management. Additional teleconference, webinar or Skype-facilitated training as requested
by PROVIDER will be provided by W.E. at a contract rate of $85.00 per instructional hour.
Additional onsite training as requested by PROVIDER will be provided at a contract rate of
$100.00 per hour plus travel expenses.
6. PERFORMANCE MONITORING: W.E. agrees to allow PROVIDER, or any agent or
Consultant as they deem so qualified, to monitor audit, review, examine, or study the methods,
procedures and results of the billing and collection methods used.
7. COMPLYING WITH THE LAW: W.E. shall adhere to all applicable state and federal laws
and regulations in effect during the term of this Agreement.
1-M I&III1:7:\►[y 3
A. W.E. will maintain in force throughout the term of this Agreement the following
insurance:
1. A commercial general liability insurance policy in the minimum amount of
one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence/two million dollars ($3,000,000) aggregate, for
death, bodily injury, personal injury, or property damage.
2. An automobile liability (owned, non -owned, and hired vehicles) insurance
policy in the minimum amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000) dollars per occurrence.
3. If any licensed professional performs any of the services required to be
performed under this Agreement, a professional liability insurance policy in the minimum amount
of one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence/one million dollars ($1,000,000) aggregate, to
cover any claims arising out of the W.E.'s performance of services under this Agreement.
4. Worker's compensation insurance, as required by the State of California,
with statutory limits, and employer's liability insurance with limits of no less than one million
dollars ($1,000,000) per accident for bodily injury or disease. W.E.'s worker's compensation
insurance shall be specifically endorsed to waive any right of subrogation against PROVIDER.
B. Other Insurance Requirements. The insurance coverage required of the W.E.in
subparagraph A of this section above shall also meet the following requirements:
1. Except for professional liability insurance or worker's compensation
insurance, the insurance policies shall be specifically endorsed to include PROVIDER and its
officers, agents, employees and volunteers as additionally named insureds under the policies.
2. The additional insured coverage under W.E.'s insurance policies shall be
primary with respect to any insurance or coverage maintained by PROVIDER and shall not call
upon PROVIDER'S insurance or self-insurance coverage for any contribution. The "primary and
noncontributory" coverage in W.E.'s policies shall be at least as broad as ISO form CG20 0104
13.
3. Except for professional liability insurance or worker's compensation
insurance, the insurance policies shall include, in their text or by endorsement, coverage for
contractual liability and personal injury.
4. By execution of this Agreement, W.E. hereby grants to PROVIDER a
waiver of any right to subrogation which any insurer of W.E. may acquire against PROVIDER
by virtue of the payment of any loss under such insurance. PROVIDER agrees to obtain any
endorsement that may be necessary to effect this waiver of subrogation, but this provision applies
regardless of whether or not PROVIDER has received a waiver of subrogation endorsement from
the insurer.
5. If the insurance is written on a Claims Made Form, then, following
termination of this Agreement, said insurance coverage shall survive for a period of not less than
five years.
6. The insurance policies shall provide for a retroactive date of placement
coinciding with the effective date of this Agreement.
7. The limits of insurance required in this Agreement may be satisfied by a
combination of primary and umbrella or excess insurance. Any umbrella or excess insurance shall
contain or be endorsed to contain a provision that such coverage shall also apply on a primary and
noncontributory basis for the benefit of PROVIDER (if agreed to in a written contract or
agreement) before PROVIDER'S own insurance or self-insurance shall be called upon to protect it
as a named insured.
8. It shall be a requirement under this Agreement that any available insurance
proceeds broader than or in excess of the specified minimum insurance coverage requirements
and/or limits shall be available to PROVIDER or any other additional insured party. Furthermore,
the requirements for coverage and limits shall be: (1) the minimum coverage and limits specified in
this Agreement; or (2) the broader coverage and maximum limits of coverage of any insurance
policy or proceeds available to the named insured; whichever is greater.
9. INDEMNIFICATION AND HOLD HARMLESS: W.E. hereby agrees to indemnify, defend,
and save harmless PROVIDER, its officers and employees from all liability, including any claim of
liability and any losses or costs (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of the negligent or
intentional act, recklessness or gross negligence of W.E. its officers, or employees.
PROVIDER agrees to defend, indemnify and hold W.E. and its officers, and employees harmless
from and against any and all claim, actions, damages, expenses (including reasonable attorney's
fees), losses or liabilities incurred by or asserted against W.E. its officer or employees as a result of
this Agreement; provided, however, that such duty to defend, indemnify and hold harmless shall not
apply to any claim or liability to the extent caused by the negligent or intentional act, recklessness
or gross negligence of W.E. its officers, or employees.
10. W.E. LIMITED LIABILITY: W.E. shall use due care in processing the claims of the
PROVIDER, but W.E. will be responsible only to the extent of correcting any errors which occur
within W.E.'s reasonable control; such errors will be corrected at no additional charge to
PROVIDER. This liability of W.E. with respect to this Paragraph shall in any event be limited to
the total compensation for the services provided under this Agreement and shall not include any
contingent liability, regardless of the form of action.
11. W.E. SERVICES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: W.E. shall perform the following services for
PROVIDER.
(a) screen, prepare, and submit claims to any and all payors including but not necessarily
limited to individual persons, Medicare intermediaries, insurance carriers, companies,
government and quasi -government agencies and any other source of pay for ambulance.
(b) track and trace all claims submitted,
(c) resubmit or otherwise resolve denied or disallowed claims,
(d) retain all source documents for 72 months,
(e) provide adequate precautions to protect confidentiality of patient records in accordance with
applicable state and federal law.
(f) timely submit claims, predicated upon normal working conditions and subject to adjustment
at any time in the event of any cause or causes beyond the control of W.E.
(g) conduct all contact and correspondence with beneficiaries or responsible parties.
12. PROVIDER RESPONSIBILITIES: Provider shall have the following responsibilities
to W.E.
(a) Provide W.E. with the proper documentation necessary to prepare claims and reach final
adjudication,
(b) Provide W.E. with any correspondence from the fiscal intermediaries, insurance, attorneys,
patients in order for W.E. to perform proper follow up of outstanding billings and proper
posting and tracking of accounts receivable.
(c) Obtain patient signature or patient representative signature on trip ticket, or indicate why unable
to obtain signature.
13. DISPUTES: Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the
breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association
in accordance with its Commercial Arbitration rules and judgment upon the award rendered by the
arbitrator maybe entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Civil Code of Procedure 1283.05
is incorporated into the discovery provisions of CCP § 1283 in all issues arising out of or relating to
this Agreement, or the breach thereof.
14. EXCUSE OF NON-PERFORMANCE: Neither party shall be liable for damages to the
other party for failure of performance under the terms of this Agreement in the event that party's
performance is prevented or made unreasonably difficult or costly by any labor dispute beyond
control of the party, war, governmental action, looting, vandalism, earthquake, fire, flood, or any
other natural occurrence.
15. DISENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT: Upon termination of the contract, W.E. will continue
to perform billing services to the date agreed upon as the termination date. W.E. will return to
PROVIDER all previously retained source documents, along with a full accounting of outstanding
accounts receivable in an electronic format at the PROVIDER's expense.
16. NOTICE: Any notice given hereunder shall be deemed served immediately if hand -delivered
in writing to an officer or other duly appointed representative of the Party to whom the notice is
directed, or if transmitted by electronic format to the email address contained in this Agreement or
listed below. Notices shall also be deemed served five business days after transmittal by registered,
certified, express, or regular mail or by Federal Express to the business address identified in this
Agreement.
Wittman Enterprises, LLC
Corinne Wittman -Wong, CEO
11093 Sun Center Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Facsimile: 916.471.5108
Email cwittmanwonizOmwebillems.com
Copy to: Jon Riese, Esquire
Signature Law Group
3400 Bradshaw Road Ste. A -4A
Sacramento, CA 95827
(916)290-7616
City of San Rafael:
Attn: Chris Gray, Fire Department
1600 Los Gamos Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903
Facsimile: 415-453-1627
Email: chris.arav�citvofsanrafael.org
17. ENTIRETY: Any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement may be waived at any time by
the party entitled to the benefit thereof, but no such waiver shall affect or impair the rights of the
waiving party to require observance, performance or satisfaction either of that term or condition as
its applies on the subsequent occasion or of any other term or condition hereof.
Nothing in this Agreement, whether express or implied is intended to confer any rights or remedies
under or by reason of this Agreement on any persons other than the parties to it and their respective
successors and assigns, nor is anything in this Agreement intended to relieve or discharge the
obligation or liability of any third persons to any party to this Agreement nor shall any provision
give any third persons any rights of subrogation or action over against any party to this Agreement
This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter
herein. There are no other understandings, terms or other Agreements expressed or implied, oral or
written, except as set forth herein.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Agreement the day and year first
herein above written.
Wittman Enterprises, LLC
Corinne Wittman -Wong, CEO
City of San Rafael
Jim Sch , ity Mand er
Attest:
Esther Beime, City Clerk
Approved as to Form:
c C n
Robert F. Epstein, City Atto ey //G
Wittman Enterprises, LLC
Business Associate Agreement
Between Wittman Enterprises, LLC and the City of San Rafael
This Business Associate Agreement ("Agreement") between the City of San Rafael (Covered
Entity) and Wittman Enterprises, LLC (Business Associate) is executed to ensure that Wittman
Enterprises, LLC will appropriately safeguard protected health information ("PHP') that is created,
received, maintained, or transmitted on behalf of City of San Rafael in compliance with the applicable
provisions of Public Law 104-191 of August 21, 1996, known as the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996, Subtitle F — Administrative Simplification, Sections 261, et seq., as
amended ("HIPAA"), and with Public Law 111-5 of February 17, 2009, known as the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Title XII, Subtitle D — Privacy, Sections 13400, et seq., the
Health Information Technology and Clinical Health Act, as amended (the "HITECH Act").
A. General Provisions
1. MeaninE of Terms. The terms used in this Agreement shall have the same meaning as those
terms defined in HIPAA.
2. Re2ulatory References. Any reference in this Agreement to a regulatory section means the
section currently in effect or as amended.
3. Interpretation. Any ambiguity in this Agreement shall be interpreted to permit compliance
with HIPAA.
B. Obligations of Business Associate
Wittman Enterprises, LLC agrees that it will:
1. Not use or further disclose PHI other than as permitted or required by this Agreement or as
required by law;
2. Use appropriate safeguards and comply, where applicable, with the HIPAA Security Rule
with respect to electronic protected health information ("e -PHP') and implement appropriate
physical, technical and administrative safeguards to prevent use or disclosure of PHI other
than as provided for by this Agreement;
3. Report to the' Fire Department Accountant any use or disclosure of PHI not provided for by
this Agreement of which it becomes aware, including any security incident (as defined in the
HIPAA Security Rule) and any breaches of unsecured PHI as required by 45 CFR § 164.410.
Breaches of unsecured PHI shall be reported to the Fire Department Accountant without
unreasonable delay but in no case later than 60 days after discovery of the breach;
4. In accordance with 45 CFR 164.502(e)(1)(ii) and 164.308(b)(2), ensure that any
subcontractors that create, receive, maintain, or transmit PHI on behalf of Wittman
Enterprises, LLC agree to the same restrictions, conditions, and requirements that apply to
Wittman Enterprises, LLC with respect to such information;
5. Make PHI in a designated record set available to the Fire Department Accountant and to an
individual who has a right of access in a manner that satisfies the City of San Rafael's
obligations to provide access to PHI in accordance with 45 CFR §164.524 within 30 days of
a request;
6. Make any amendment(s) to PHI in a designated record set as directed by the Fire Department
Accountant, or take other measures necessary to satisfy the City of San Rafael's obligations
under 45 CFR § 164.526;
7. Maintain and make available information required to provide an accounting of disclosures to
the Fire Department Accountant or an individual who has a right to an accounting within 60
days and as necessary to satisfy the City of San Rafael's obligations under 45 CFR § 164.528;
8. To the extent that Wittman Enterprises, LLC is to carry out any of the Fire Department
Accountant's obligations under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, Wittman Enterprises, LLC shall
comply with the requirements of the Privacy Rule that apply to the Fire Department
Accountant when it carries out that obligation;
9. Make its internal practices, books, and records relating to the use and disclosure of PHI received
from, or created or received by Wittman Enterprises, LLC on behalf of the Fire Department
Accountant, available to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for
purposes of determining Wittman Enterprises, LLC and the Fire Department Accountant's
compliance with HIPAA and the HITECH Act;
10. Restrict the use or disclosure of PHI if the Fire Department Accountant notifies Wittman
Enterprises, LLC of any restriction on the use or disclosure of PHI that the Fire Department
Accountant has agreed to or is required to abide by under 45 CFR § 164.522; and
11. If the City of San Rafael is subject to the Red Flags Rule (found at 16 CFR §681.1 et seq.),
Wittman Enterprises, LLC agrees to assist the City of San Rafael in complying with its Red
Flags Rule obligations by: (a) implementing policies and procedures to detect relevant Red
Flags (as defined under 16 C.F.R. §681.2); (b) taking all steps necessary to comply with the
policies and procedures of the City of San Rafael's Identity Theft Prevention Program; (c)
ensuring that any agent or third party who performs services on its behalf in connection with
covered accounts of the City of San Rafael agrees to implement reasonable policies and
procedures designed to detect, prevent, and mitigate the risk of identity theft; and (d) alerting
the City of San Rafael of any Red Flag incident (as defined by the Red Flag Rules) of which
it becomes aware, the steps it has taken to mitigate any potential harm that may have
occurred, and provide a report to the City of San Rafael of any threat of identity theft as a
result of the incident.
C. Permitted Uses and Disclosures by Business Associate
The specific uses and disclosures of PHI that may be made by Wittman Enterprises, LLC on
behalf of the City of San Rafael include:
1. The preparation of invoices to patients, carriers, insurers and others responsible for payment
or reimbursement of the services provided by the City of San Rafael to its patients;
2. Preparation of reminder notices and documents pertaining to collections of overdue accounts;
3. The submission of supporting documentation to carriers, insurers and other payers to
substantiate the healthcare services provided by the City of San Rafael to its patients or to
appeal denials of payment for the same; and
4. Other uses or disclosures of PHI as permitted by HIPAA necessary to perform the services
that Wittman Enterprises, LLC has been engaged to perform on behalf of the City of San
Rafael.
D. Termination
1. The City of San Rafael may terminate this Agreement if the Fire Department Accountant
determines that Wittman Enterprises, LLC has violated a material term of the Agreement.
2. If either party knows of a pattern of activity or practice of the other party that constitutes a
material breach or violation of the other party's obligations under this Agreement, that party
shall take reasonable steps to cure the breach or end the violation, as applicable, and, if such
steps are unsuccessful, terminate the Agreement if feasible.
3. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, Wittman Enterprises, LLC shall return to
the City of San Rafael or destroy all PHI received from the City of San Rafael, or created,
maintained, or received by Wittman Enterprises, LLC on behalf of the City of San Rafael
that Wittman Enterprises, LLC still maintains in any form. Wittman Enterprises, LLC shall
retain no copies of the PHI. If return or destruction is infeasible, the protections of this
Agreement will extend to such PHI.
Agreed to this day of 72017
City of San Rafael
Signature:
Title: City Manager
Date: IT
Wittman Enterprises, LLC
i
Signature:
3
Title: �CZ
Date: %1S-11 �t
CONTRACT ROUTING FORM
INSTRUCTIONS: Use this cover sheet to circulate all contracts for review and approval in the order shown below.
TO BE COMPLETED BY INITIATING DEPARTMENT PROJECT MANAGER:
Contracting Department: Fire Department
Project Manager: Chris Gray, Fire Chief '
Extension: x 3084
Contractor Name: Wittman Enterprises, LLC l
Contractor's Contact: Russ Harms
Contact's Email: RHarms@webillems.com
❑ FPPC: Check if Contractor/Consultant must file Form 700
Step
RESPONSIBLE
DESCRIPTION
COMPLETED
REVIEWER
Date of Council approval
DEPARTMENT
DATE
Check/Initial
1
Project Manager
a. Email PINS Introductory Notice to Contractor
8/17/2017
❑
Attorney with printed copy of this routing form
7/31/2017
6 City Attorney
Review and approve hard copy of signed
b. Email contract (in Word) & attachments to City
agreement
7A7
Atty c/o Laraine.Gittens@cityofsanrafael.org
7 City Attorney
❑
2
City Attorney
a. Review, revise, and comment on draft agreement
Click here to
*�17
8 City Manager/ Mayor
and return to Project Manager
enter a date.
❑
9 City Clerk
Attest signatures, retains original agreement and
forwards copies to Project Manager
b. Confirm insurance requirements, create Job on
Click here to
PINS, send PINS insurance notice to contractor
enter a date.
❑
3
Project Manager
Forward three (3) originals of final agreement to
8/22/2017
❑
contractor for their signature
4
Project Manager
When necessary, * contractor -signed agreement
❑ N/A
agendized for Council approval
*PSA > $20,000; or Purchase > $35,000; or
Or
❑
Public Works Contract> $125,000
tL`i )l5
8/7/2017
Date of Council approval
PRINT
CONTINUE ROUTING PROCESS WITH HARD COPY
5 Project Manager
Forward signed original agreements to City
8/30/2017
Attorney with printed copy of this routing form
6 City Attorney
Review and approve hard copy of signed
a12_
agreement
7A7
7 City Attorney
Review and approve insurance in PINS, and bonds
(for Public Works Contracts)
*�17
8 City Manager/ Mayor
Agreement executed by Council authorized official
I
I
9 City Clerk
Attest signatures, retains original agreement and
forwards copies to Project Manager
tL`i )l5
IftSAN RAFAEL STAFF REPORT APPROVAL
THE CITY WITH AMISSION ROUTING SLIP
Staff Report Author: Christopher Gray and David Catalinotto Date of Meeting: 08/07/2017
Department: Fire
Topic: EMS Billing and Collection Services
Subject: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL APPROVING MULTI-YEAR BID FOR
WITTMAN ENTERPRISES, LLC (WITTMAN) FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) BILLING AND COLLECTION
SERVICES, AUTHORIZING THE ELIMINATION OF THE AMBULANCE BILLING SPECIALIST POSITION, AND
PERMITTING COLLECTION OF APPROVED FEES FOR PATIENT TREATMENT WITHOUT PATIENT TRANSPORT TO A
HOSPITAL.
Type: (check all that apply) X❑ Consent Calendar ❑ Public Hearing
❑ Discussion Item X❑ Resolution ❑ Ordinance
❑ Professional Services Agreement ❑ Informational Report
*If PSA, City Attorney approval is required prior to start of staff report approval process
Was agenda item publicly noticed? ❑ Yes ❑No I Date noticed
Due Date I Responsibility Description
❑Mailed ❑Site posted ❑Marin IJ
Completed
Date Initial /Comment
PRELIMINARY REVIEW
FRI, 7/14 Author Submit draft report to 7/13/2017 ❑X
Director CGray
MON, 7/17 Director Submit draft report to ACM 7/17/2017 ❑X
7/25/2017
Assistant City Manager Readiness review
WED, 7/19 City Attorney
Finance
Preliminary legal and
financial impact review
7/31/2017
7/26/2017
provided
substantive
comments in
the Fiscal
Impact section
❑X
RW
❑X LG (CA)
I]
MM (Fin)
CONTENT REVIEW
FRI, 7/21 Assistant City Manager Content review 8/1/2017 ❑X
8/1/2017
Author
Revisions
N
FINAL REVIEW
MON, 7/24 City Attorney Final legal review 8/1/2017
Click here to LG
Finance Final financial review enter a date.
Click here to
Author Revisions / accept changes enter a date.
TUES, 8/1 City Manager Final review and approval Click here to
enter a date.