FINANCE DEPARTMENT

M E M O R A N D U M

 

To:                   Honorable Mayor and City Commission

 

From:               Richard D. Sala, City Manager

 

By:                   Chief Lou Cavallo, Public Safety Director

                        Acting Fire Chief Rudy Neumann

Brian K. Raducci, Finance Director

 

Date:                February 13, 2007

 

Re:                   Advanced Data Processing, Inc., Agreement for –

Rescue Ambulance Billing & Related Professional Services

 

Beginning in October 1998, the City began providing paramedic emergency patient transport services (transport services).  At that time, the City selected a local contractor for the billing and collection of these transport services.  After a review of the proposals, the City selected and entered into a professional services agreement with Advanced Data Processing, Inc. (“ADPI”) for the billing and collection of transport services.

 

ADPI currently provides similar services to 15 other public entities within Broward County.  Our current Agreement with ADPI is set to expire on February 28, 2007.   Based upon their collection efforts over the past 8½ years, the Administration is recommending the City enter into a new three (3) year agreement with two (2) additional one (1) year extensions with ADPI for the billing and collection of transport services.  ADPI continues to be a major provider of this highly complex, unique and specialized service – and our City does not have the expertise nor resources to reasonably attempt billing and collection of our patient transport fees.

 

ADPI has been able to collect over $2.65M for the City since it began providing billing and collection of transport services in 1998.  The revenue collected by ADPI per transport has grown from $179 in 2004 to $209 in 2006.  This increase demonstrates ADPI’s dedication to collecting the maximum amount for each transport while maintaining the highest level of compliance with all applicable Medicare and Medicaid regulations.

 

During our discussions with ADPI, they have agreed to maintain their current administrative billing/collection fee at seven percent (7%), excluding Medicaid accounts that are invoiced pursuant to Florida Statute §409.913(9).  The Statute stipulates that ADPI is to include on the same invoice an amount of $11.40 per processed Medicaid account during the month.  The attached agreement has been reviewed by our City’s professional staff and members of our City Attorney’s Office and found acceptable in both form and content for Commission’s consideration.

 

Recommendation:      The City Administration recommends Commission’s consideration and approval of the attached resolution authorizing and directing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Advanced Data Processing (“ADPI”) for the collection of emergency patient transportation service fees.


RESOLUTION NO. ____________

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH ADVANCED DATA PROCESSING, INC. (“ADPI”) FOR THE COLLECTION OF EMERGENCY PATIENT TRANSPORTATION SERVICE FEES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

 

WHEREAS, the Fire Rescue Department of the City of North Lauderdale is responsible for providing emergency patient transportation; and

 

WHEREAS, it is necessary to have a company for billing and collection services for said transportation; and

 

WHEREAS, the City has had an agreement with Advanced Data Processing, Inc., since 1998; and

 

WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of North Lauderdale has further determined that a need exists to provide funding for billing and collection services for said transportation from Advanced Data Processing, Inc.;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, THAT:

 

            Section 1:         That the City Manager, be and the same, is hereby authorized and directed to enter into an agreement by and between the City of North Lauderdale and Advanced Data Processing, Inc., for patient transport billing and collection services.

 

Section 2:         That the funds for said service shall be provided from the FY 2007 Adopted Budget (G/L 115-2001-522.31-82).

 

Section 3:         The City Manager is authorized to take all steps necessary to enter into an agreement with Advanced Data Processing, Inc.

 

Section 4:         That this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.


PASSED and ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of North Lauderdale, Florida, this 13th day of February, 2007.

 

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

 

                                                                       

CITY ATTORNEY SAMUEL S. GOREN

 

                                                                                                                                               

         MAYOR JACK BRADY

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                               

   VICE MAYOR RICH MOYLE

ATTEST:

 

                                                           

CITY CLERK C. MILLI DYER


AGREEMENT BETWEEN

CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE

AND

ADVANCED DATA PROCESSING, INC.

FOR RESCUE AMBULANCE BILLING & RELATED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

 

THIS AGREEMENT, hereinafter “AGREEMENT,” made and entered into this 1st day of March, 2007 by and between CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, a Florida Municipal corporation, with principal offices located at 701 Southwest 71st Avenue, North Lauderdale, FL 33068-2395 hereinafter referred to as the “CITY,” and ADVANCED DATA PROCESSING, INC., a Delaware Corporation with principal offices located at 6451 North Federal Highway, Suite 1002, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308, hereinafter referred to as the “CONTRACTOR.”

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto now wish to enter into an AGREEMENT, pursuant to which the CONTRACTOR will render those professional services in connection with said project as hereinafter provided;

 

NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.  DEFINITION OF THE PROJECT.  The objective of the project is to utilize the services of the CONTRACTOR to provide complete medical billing and accounts receivable management services for the CITY’S ambulance services.

 

2.  SCOPE OF SERVICES.  The CONTRACTOR shall perform and carry out the work as defined in “Exhibit B – Scope of Services” which is attached hereto.  All payments shall be made payable to ‘CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE’ and sent to a “Locked-Box” facility as directed by the CITY.

 

3.  TIME OF PERFORMANCE.  This AGREEMENT shall be effective for a three (3) year period from March 1, 2007 through February 28, 2010, under the terms and conditions contained herein unless otherwise terminated.  This AGREEMENT may be renewed for two (2) additional one (1) year terms under the then in force terms and conditions upon written AGREEMENT of both parties.

 

4.  COMPENSATION AND METHOD OF PAYMENT.

 

4.01               The CITY reserves the right to request changes in the services within the general scope of the AGREEMENT to be performed upon mutual AGREEMENT by the CITY and CONTRACTOR that shall specify the change ordered and the adjustment of time and compensation required therefore.

 

4.02                             Any services added to the scope of this AGREEMENT by a change order shall be executed in compliance with all other applicable conditions of this AGREEMENT.  No claim for additional compensation or extension of time shall be recognized unless contained in the duly executed change order.


4.03                             The CONTRACTOR shall be paid by the CITY a monthly amount representing fees for the services provided computed as:

 

4.03 (a)                  Seven percent (7%) of all monies collected by CONTRACTOR during the month, excluding Medicaid accounts which shall be invoiced pursuant to Florida Statute §409.913(9).  This Statute stipulates that CONTRACTOR is to include on the same invoice an amount of $11.40 per processed Medicaid account during the month.

 

4.04                             The CITY shall issue a check for the amount invoiced, within thirty (30) days of receipt and acceptance of an accurate invoice.  CITY’S obligation hereunder are absolute and unconditional and not subject to set-off, delay, counterclaim, termination or performance.  CONTRACTOR will resolve any disputed amounts within sixty (60) days from the date CITY gives notification.

 

4.05                             The CITY shall bear the cost of any and all Lock-box services.  CITY, should they elect to participate in any credit card acceptance program, agrees to assume and be responsible for all costs associated with such program.  CONTRACTOR shall provide to the CITY monthly an amount of one hundred ($100.00) dollars towards the CITY’S banking and administrative costs in the form of a discount against CONTRACTOR’S monthly fees as stated above. All other costs incurred by CONTRACTOR in the performance of services as specified herein (including, but not limited to postage, materials, communications and phone costs and other operating costs) shall be assumed by the CONTRACTOR.

 

5. REPORTS.  The CONTRACTOR shall provide the CITY with status reports as set forth in Exhibit B and other reports as mutually agreed.  The CONTRACTOR shall also provide changes to such reports and ad hoc report requests on a reasonable basis and as mutually agreed.  CONTRACTOR reserves the right to charge an additional fee for any programming cost associated with ad hoc reports that would require more than a reasonable amount of time to accomplish.

6. DATA TO BE FURNISHED BY CITY.  The CITY will make available to the CONTRACTOR, for use in performance of services under this AGREEMENT, all available reports, studies or any other materials in its possession that may be useful to the CONTRACTOR.  All material furnished by the CITY will not be disclosed to any party, other than as required under the scope of the AGREEMENT, without the CITY’S prior written approval.

 

7. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.  The CONTRACTOR is an independent contractor and not an employee or agent of the CITY with the following exception:

To the extent necessary to fulfill its billing and collection efforts under the AGREEMENT, the CONTRACTOR is authorized to sign in an administrative capacity for the CITY the following types of standard forms and correspondences only: probate filings; letters to patients or their representatives verifying that an account is paid in full; forms verifying the tax-exempt status of the CITY; and insurance filings and related forms.  The CONTRACTOR has no authority to sign any document that imposes any additional liability on the CITY.

 

The CONTRACTOR shall retain full control over the employment, direction, compensation and discharge of all persons assisting in the performance of service by CONTRACTOR.  The CONTRACTOR shall be fully responsible for all matters relating to payment of employees, including compliance with Social Security, withholding tax and all other laws and regulations governing such matters.  The CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for its own acts and those of its agents and employees during the term of this AGREEMENT.

 

CONTRACTOR shall not utilize subcontractors in the performance of this AGREEMENT.  The use of subcontractors requires the prior approval of the CITY.  Subcontractor shall be defined as persons who performs billing and accounts receivable management services substantially similar to those services performed by CONTRACTOR.

 

8. INDEMNIFICATION.  The CONTRACTOR shall indemnify and hold the CITY harmless from any and all claims, losses and causes of actions which may arise out of the CONTRACTOR’S performance of this AGREEMENT as a result of an act of negligence or intentional acts, omissions, or wrongdoings of the CONTRACTOR, its employees, agents, representatives, consultants, or its SUBCONTRACTORS.  The CONTRACTOR shall pay all claims and losses of any nature whatsoever in connection therewith and shall pay all costs and judgments (including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fee and expenses incurred at the trial, administrative levels, or on appeal) that may issue thereon.  The above provisions shall survive the termination of this AGREEMENT and shall pertain to any occurrence during the term of this AGREEMENT, even though the claim may be made after the termination hereof.

 

Nothing contained herein is intended nor shall be construed to waive CITY’S rights and immunities under the common law or Florida Statutes §768.28, as amended from time to time.

 

9. INSURANCE.  CONTRACTOR shall procure and maintain for the duration of the AGREEMENT, insurance against claims for injuries to persons or damages to property, which may arise from or in connection with the performance of the work hereunder by the CONTRACTOR, his agents, representatives, employees, or subcontractors.  The cost of such insurance is the responsibility of the CONTRACTOR.

 

9.01 Minimum Limits of Insurance

CONTRACTOR shall maintain limits no less than:

a.      General Liability: $1,000,000 Combined Single Limit for bodily injury and property damage per occurrence with a $2,000,000 annual aggregate.

 

b.      Automobile Liability: One Million ($1,000,000.00) Dollars combined single limit per accident for bodily injury and property damage. (Non-owned, Hired Car).

 


c.      Workers’ Compensation Employers Liability: Insurance covering all employees meeting Statutory Limits in compliance with the applicable state and federal laws and Employee’s Liability with a limit of $500,000 per accident, $500,000 disease policy limit, $500,000 disease each employee.  Waiver of Subrogation in lieu of Additional Insured will suffice.

 

d.      Professional Liability Insurance, including errors and omissions: for all services provided under the terms of this AGREEMENT with minimum limits of One Million ($1,000,000.00) Dollars per occurrence; or claims made form with "tail coverage" extending three (3) years beyond the term of the AGREEMENT.  Proof of “tail coverage” must be submitted with the invoice for final payment.  In lieu of “tail coverage,” CONTRACTOR may submit annually to the CITY a current Certificate of Insurance proving claims made insurance remains in force throughout the same three (3) year periods.

 

e.      Umbrella: $2,000,000 combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage combined per occurrence and annual aggregate.  The coverage shall provide excess coverage for employer’s liability, general liability, including completed operations and auto liability.

 

f.        Crime Policy: CONTRACTOR shall provide a Crime Policy in the amount of $500,000.  Coverage to be provided shall include: Theft – Per Loss Coverage; Forgery or Alteration; Inside the Premises – Theft of Money and Securities; Inside the Premises – Robbery or Safe Burglary of Other Property; Outside the Premises; Computer Fraud; Funds Transfer Fraud; and Money Orders and Counterfeit Paper Currency.

 

9.02. Deductibles and Self-Insured Retentions

Deductibles or self-insurance shall be maintained in amounts or at levels which are customary for the size, profile and industry in which CONTRACTOR is employed.  No decreases in coverage can occur without the approval of the CITY.

 

9.03. Other Insurance Provisions

The policies are to contain, or be endorsed to contain, the following provisions:

a. General Liability and Automobile Liability Coverage (CITY is to be named as Additional Insured).

1.      The CITY, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers are to be covered as additional insured as respects; liability arising out of activities performed by or on behalf of the CONTRACTOR, including the insured general supervision of the CONTRACTOR; products and completed operations of the CONTRACTOR; premises owned, occupied or used by the CONTRACTOR; or automobiles owned, leased, hired or borrowed by the CONTRACTOR.  The coverage shall contain no special limitations on the scope of protections afforded the CITY, its officers, officials, employees or volunteers.

 

2.      The CONTRACTOR’S insurance coverage shall be primary insurance as respects the CITY, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers.  Any insurance of self-insurance maintained by the CITY, its officers, officials, employees or volunteers shall be excess of the CONTRACTOR’S insurance and shall not contribute with it.  CONTRACTOR hereby waives subrogation rights for loss or damage against the CITY.

 

3.      Any failure to comply with reporting provisions of the policies shall not affect coverage provided to the CITY, its officers, officials, employees or volunteers.

 

4.      The CONTRACTOR’S insurance shall apply separately to each insured against whom a claim is made or suit is brought, except with respect to the limits of the insurer’s liability.

 

5.      Companies issuing the insurance policy, or policies, shall have no recourse against the CITY for payment of premiums or assessments for any deductibles with are all at the sole responsibility and risk of CONTRACTOR.

 

b. All Coverage

Each insurance policy required by this clause shall be endorsed to state that coverage shall not be suspended, voided, canceled by either party, reduced in coverage or in limits except after thirty (30) days prior written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, has been given to the CITY.

 

9.04. Acceptability of Insurers

Insurance is to be placed with insurers with a Best rating of no less than A: VII.

 

9.05. Verification of Coverage

CONTRACTOR shall furnish the CITY with certificates of insurance and with original endorsements effecting coverage required by this clause.  The certificates and endorsements for each insurance policy are to be signed by a person authorized by that insurer to bind coverage on its behalf.  All certificates and endorsements are to be received and approved by the CITY before work commences.  The CITY reserves the right to require complete, certified copies of all required insurance policies at any time.

 

10. OWNERSHIP OF DOCUMENTS.  CONTRACTOR shall be required to work in harmony with other consultants relative to providing information requested in a timely manner and in the specified form.  The CONTRACTOR agrees that any and all documents, records, disks, and electronic data produced in the performance of this AGREEMENT shall be the sole property of the CITY, including all rights therein of whatever kind except as may otherwise be provided hereinafter.  Failure to turn over such documents within thirty (30) days of a written request by CITY may be cause for the CITY to withhold payments due CONTRACTOR or to enforce this clause by legal remedies.

 

11. ATTACHMENTS. The following named attachments are made an integral part of this AGREEMENT:

A.      Business Associate Addendum (Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof)

B.     Scope of Services (Exhibit B attached hereto and made a part hereof)

 

12. TERMINATION.  During the time of this AGREEMENT either party may terminate this AGREEMENT either for convenience or for default after first giving to other party ninety (90) days written notice.

For cases of default, the CONTRACTOR shall be given opportunity to cure the default within the thirty (30) day period following such written notice. In the event the acts constituting default are a violation of law, CONTRACTOR shall be subject to immediate termination of AGREEMENT.

Upon termination for any cause, the CONTRACTOR shall submit an invoice(s) to the CITY in an amount(s) representing fees for services actually performed or obligations incurred to the date of effective termination for which the CONTRACTOR has not been previously compensated.  Upon payment of all sums found due, the CITY shall be under no further obligation to the CONTRACTOR, financial or otherwise.

 

For purposes of this section, the notice period begins when the CONTRACTOR receives written notice from the CITY.

 

13. UNCONTROLLABLE FORCES. Neither the CITY nor CONTRACTOR shall be considered to be in default of this AGREEMENT if delays in or failure of performance shall be due to Uncontrollable Forces, the effect of which, by the exercise of reasonable diligence, the non-performing party could not avoid.  The term “Uncontrollable Forces” shall mean any event which results in the prevention or delay of performance by a party of its obligations under this AGREEMENT and which is beyond the reasonable control of the non-performing party.  It includes, but is not limited to fire, flood, earthquakes, storms, lightning, epidemic, war, riot, civil disturbance, sabotage, terrorism and governmental actions.

Neither party shall, however, be excused from performance if non-performance is due to forces that are preventable, removable, or remediable nor which the non-performing party could have, with the exercise of reasonable diligence, prevented, removed, or remedied with reasonable dispatch.  The non-performing party shall, within a reasonable time of being prevented or delayed from performance by an uncontrollable force, give written notice to the other party describing the circumstances and uncontrollable forces preventing continued performance of the obligations of this AGREEMENT.

 

14. JURISDICTION, VENUE and CHOICE OF LAW. All questions pertaining to the validity and interpretations of this AGREEMENT shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida.  Any legal action by either party against the other concerning this AGREEMENT shall be filed in Broward County, Florida, which shall be deemed proper jurisdiction and venue for the action.

 


15. ASSIGNMENT OF AGREEMENT.  Except to a parent, subsidiary, or affiliate, the CONTRACTOR shall not sell, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of this AGREEMENT or any part thereof or work provided therein, or of its right, title or interest therein, unless otherwise provided in the AGREEMENT, without express prior consent by the CITY.

16. NOTICES.  All notices pertaining to this AGREEMENT shall be delivered or mailed to such party at their respective address as follows:

To the CITY:

Richard D.Sala, City Manager

CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE

701 S.W. 71st Avenue

North Lauderdale, FL  33068-2395

Telephone No.:          (954) 724-7041

Facsimile No.:           (954) 720-2151

 

Samuel S. Goren, City Attorney

3099 E. Commercial Blvd., Suite 200

Fort Lauderdale, FL  33308

Telephone No.:          (954) 771-4500

Facsimile No.:           (954) 771-4923

 

To the CONTRACTOR:

Brad Williams

Vice President, Finance

ADVANCED DATA PROCESSING, INC.

6451 North Federal Highway, Suite 1002

Fort Lauderdale, FL  33308

Telephone No.:          (305) 308-8707

Facsimile No.:           (305) 521-0776

 

17. REPESENTATION AND WARRANTY.  CONTRACTOR represents that they have experience and agrees to follow all Federal, State and Local Laws including, but not limited to, Public Records Laws and those laws and statutes applicable to discrimination and medical billing.

18. INTEREST OF CONTRACTOR.  It is agreed that the CONTRACTOR presently has no interest and shall not acquire any interest, direct or indirect, which would conflict in any manner or degree with the performance of the CONTRACTOR’S services under this AGREEMENT.  It is further agreed that in the performance of this AGREEMENT the CONTRACTOR shall employ no person having any such interest.

19. SEVERABILITY.  Should any part, term or provision of this AGREEMENT be by the courts decided to be illegal or in conflict with any law of the State of Florida, the validity of the remaining portions or provisions shall not be affected thereby.

20. ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This AGREEMENT contains the entire AGREEMENT between the parties.  The CONTRACTOR represents that in entering into this AGREEMENT it has not relied on any previous oral and/or implied representations, inducements or understandings of any kind or nature.


IN WITNESS OF THE FOREGOING, the CITY has caused this AGREEMENT to be signed by the City Manager, attested by the City Clerk, and the CONTRACTOR has executed this AGREEMENT effective as of the date set forth above.

 

CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA

 

 

BY:      ______________________________

            Richard D. Sala, City Manager

 

 

ATTEST:

Clerk of the Court

City of North Lauderdale, Florida

 

 

BY:      ______________________________    (SEAL)

 

 

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

City of North Lauderdale City Attorney’s Office

 

 

BY:      ______________________________

 

 

                                                                           CONTRACTOR:

                                                                           ADVANCED DATA PROCESSING, INC.

                                                                          A Delaware Corporation

 

                                                                    ______________________________

                                                                          DOUG SHAMON

                                                                          PRESIDENT

(CORPORATE SEAL)   

 

STATE OF FLORIDA

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

 

            BEFORE ME, an officer duly authorized by law to administer oaths and take acknowledgments, personally appeared Doug Shamon, as President of Advanced Data Processing, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and acknowledged execution of the foregoing AGREEMENT for the use and purposes mentioned in it and that the instrument is the act and deed of the CONTRACTOR.

 

            IN WITNESS OF THE FOREGOING, I have set my hand and official seal at in the State and County aforesaid on _________________________, 2007.

 

                                                _________________________________

                                                Notary Public, State of Florida at Large

                                                                        My Commission expires:


Exhibit A

Business Associate Addendum

Advanced Data Processing, Inc. the “Business Associate” (hereinafter referred to as “CONTRACTOR”) and City of North Lauderdale (hereinafter referred to as CITY) hereby amend the AGREEMENT entered into on March 1, 2007, (“the AGREEMENT”) by adding the following additional language to the AGREEMENT.

 

1.         CONTRACTOR shall carry out its obligations under this Addendum in compliance with the privacy regulations pursuant to 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”), to protect the privacy of any personally identifiable protected health information (“PHI”) that is collected, processed or learned as a result of the Billing Services provided hereunder.  In conformity therewith, CONTRACTOR agrees that it will:

a.      Not use or further disclose PHI except as permitted under this Addendum or required by law;

 

b.      Use appropriate safeguards to prevent use or disclosure of PHI except as permitted by this Addendum;

 

c.      To mitigate, to the extent practicable, any harmful effect that is known to CONTRACTOR of a use or disclosure of PHI by CONTRACTOR in violation of this Addendum.

 

d.      Report to CITY any use or disclosure of PHI not provided for by this Addendum of which CONTRACTOR becomes aware;

 

e.      Ensure that any agents or subcontractors to whom CONTRACTOR provides PHI, or who have access to PHI, agree to the same restrictions and conditions that apply to CONTRACTOR with respect to such PHI;

 

f.        Make PHI available to CITY and to the individual who has a right of access as required under HIPAA within 30 days of the request by CITY