HomeMy WebLinkAboutWorkshop November 17, 2014JEFFERSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
Monday, November 17, 2014
Council Chambers
The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in a workshop on Monday, November 17,
2014_ Council President Julius called the meeting to order at 6:00PM and members present
were: Councilperson Zastawny, Councilperson Sellers, Councilperson Payne, Council Vice
President Gill, Councilperson Glover, Councilperson Owen, Councilperson Samuel_
Councilperson Smith was absent.
Also present were: Council Attorney Scott Lewis, Human Director Kim Calabro, Jason
Weilage with Alternative Solutions, Mr. Hollis Smith, President of Alternative Health Solutions,
Mr. Michael Dees, Vice President of Alternative Health Solutions and Ms_ Laurel Stocks, Director
of Nursing.
Resources
City of Jeffersonville Health Center (Clinic)
President Julius explained that one of the things that came out of the Fire and Police
negotiation "mini meetings" was to have a member of the Fire Department, a member of the
Police Department, some civil city employees, some Council members and administration come
together to discuss ways to save money on insurance and at these meetings, a
recommendation was made to look into the possibility of having an employee health clinic_
President Julius introduced Mr. Jason Weilage who will present to the Council an overview of a
health clinic for tonight's workshop. Ms_ Calabro distributed a hand-out to Council members
illustrating the different services and scenarios of a clinic.
Mr. Weilage explained that he was hired as a consultant earlier this year to look at the city's
health program and through those different discussions the issue of a health clinic came about
as a way to save the city and the city employee's money. The clinic would not require a co -pay
or meet a deductible for the employee and their family members_ Mr_ Weilage stated that
about 90% of what an urgent care center handles, the clinic can also handle_ The clinic could
also take care of pre-employment drug testing, post -accident, DOT drug/alcohol testing and
Level 1 work related injuries_ Mr_ Weilage explained that instead of the current city insurance
making payments as a self-funded health plan, the health clinic pays a capitated rate (all
inclusive rate) which is determined upon whether or not you choose an on-site or shared -site
clinic, how many days the clinic is open and if it is available for other entities to participate. This
plan also allows employees and their families to go to other clinics throughout the community.
Mr. Weilage stated that only employers can participate, it's not opened to the public_
Mr. Weilage explained that it is up to Council to decide if they want a health center open 3 or 5
days a week, but typically clinics are available S days a week, S hours per day, Monday through
Friday_ Mr. Weilage stated that in a clinic scenario, there is no filed claim through the health
insurance so the city's medical loss ratio will be reduced and this in turn greatly helps renewals.
Mr. Weilage stated that based on his analysis, the city should see a return on their investment
the first year. City Employees will save $125,000 on co -pays alone within the first year. Mr.
Weilage provided examples of three different cost options the city can choose based on 350
employees:
1. Open 3 days a week for City of Jeff families only, the cost would be $83 per employee
per month, the city net savings would $250,000 and $125,000 back to the employees.
2. Open 5 days a week for City of Jeff families only, the cost would be $115 per employee
per month, the city net savings would be $483,000 and $125,000 back to the
employees.
3. Open 5 days a week and open to other businesses (requires 500+ total employees), the
cost would be $55 per employee per month, the city net savings would be $365,000 and
$125,000 back to the employees.
Mr. Weilage stated that an aggressive campaign would begin before the facility was even built
to educate the employees about what services the clinic offers and how it can save them
money. Mr. Weilage explained that the employees have to trust the facility in order to utilize it
and presented many of the different ways that they intend to build this trust and rapport.
The contract term is for two years to set the clinic up and get the staffing together. Quarterly
activity reports would be provided to show utilization and savings. The build out time for the
clinic is 30 to 45 business days. The clinic can change from being a closed facility (Jeff
employees and their families only) to a shared health center in the future by partnering with
other businesses within the community.
Mr. Weilage opened the workshop for discussion:
Vice President Gill noted that services performed at the clinic include hearing and vision
screening and questioned whether the clinic will screen and then send the employee elsewhere
with a prescription to purchase their glasses and hearing aids. Ms. Stocks explained that the
clinic is screening for eye and ear injuries, but DOT exams and the sports physicals require an
eye and hearing exam and they are able to perform these screenings.
Vice President Gill also questioned how the clinic would decrease urgent care and ER visits
when typically she uses those facilities when her doctor's office has closed for the day pointing
out that the clinic will have similar days/hours of operation as her doctor's office. Mr. Weilage
stated that people will go to the ER because they think that it's faster and once employees
realize that they won't have to wait to be seen at the clinic, they will utilize it. Mr. Weilage
explained that there are flexible methods of scheduling an appointment at the clinic.
Employees can walk into the clinic (but if someone has a scheduled appointment, they will have
to wait behind them), make a phone call or go on-line.
Councilperson Owen asked if an employee came into the clinic with a work-related injury and
they needed to be referred to a specialist, is there a network of specialists they would be
required to use and Mr. Weilage stated they would work with the city to determine where they
should refer employees. Also, since the clinic can perform MRI's, they can print out the data so
the patient can take it to their specialist, or electronically send those results to the office or
facility they are referred to.
Councilperson Glover questioned whether or not they would be able to see the same nurse
practitioner each time he visits the clinic with his children and Mr. Weilage stated that it would
be the same ones that are staffed at that facility. Ms. Stocks stated that they very much want to
have a family atmosphere where "they know us and we know them."
Councilperson Samuel stated that it makes more sense to partner with another business and
asked if they have identified any other businesses the city and the clinic could partner with and
also asked if they have checked with other businesses to see if they have an established clinic
and they are looking for a partner. Mr. Weilage stated that they have talked to other businesses
in the area that have expressed interest in participating, but they have not pursued this any
further until it's determined what direction the Council wants to go. Mr. Weilage stated that
there are other competitors in the market, but their model is a little different. Ms. Calabro
stated that after doing some small surveys and questioning employees in the different
departments, it was determined that the hope would be to start off with an on-site and not
shared clinic and then see how that works out.
President Julius stated the Council needs to decide whether or not this is something they want
to pull the trigger on and, if so, then a decision needs to be made whether or not the clinic
should be a 3 or 5 day -a -week clinic, shared or not shared. President Julius explained to Council
that Mr. Weilage told the insurance committee if the city could provide a location and not have
to go out and rent one, the city could save approximately $2,500 a month. President Julius
stated that he looked into locations that might be used for a clinic and stated that the old sewer
plant would be an ideal location. City Engineer Andy Crouch's office is located there, but stated
that he would be willing to move back to City Hall when the Police Department relocates.
President Julius advised the Council that the $30,000 that was placed in Ms. Calabro's budget
for a wellness program could be pulled from that budget and placed toward the clinic since it
already provides a wellness program. President Julius explained that the plan is to have a vote
on the clinic by the end of the year and then open around March 1, 2015.
There was discussion among the Council members as to where the city could house a clinic.
Councilperson Glover stated that if he is going to trust the clinic by taking his children there, it
has to be a place that is nice, clean, safe and not just economical. Councilperson Zastawny
advised the Council to proceed with the clinic stating that it is a win/win for the city and the
employees. Also advises to share the clinic if they can find a suitable partner to work with.
Councilperson Glover suggested to start out with a clinic just for the employees to develop their
trust and show them that it's going to be a good quality product and also suggests a 5 -day
clinic. President Julius agreed with Councilperson Glover that the clinic should start alone even
though it will cost more to do so, but can change that in the future stating if after 6 months of
the clinic being open there is very little employee participation, the city will need to co -mingle.
In conclusion, President Julius stated that what he is hearing from the Council tonight is if the
clinic is developed, it should be off-site, open 5 days per week and (to start) private.
Councilperson Owen made a motion to ADJOURN at 6:41pm with Councilperson Samuel
seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
ATTESTED BY:
Dennis Julius; President