Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1992 [PAGE 573]

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1994]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

561

Mr. Grabowski, Mrs. Gravenhorst, Mr. Lamont, Ms. Lopez, Ms. Reese; no, none; absent, Governor Edgar. (The student advisory vote was: Aye, Ms. Huff; absent, Mr. Riley.)

Renewal of Contract for Collections with Telecomputer System, University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics, Chicago

(18) The chancellor at Chicago recommends renewal of a contract with Telecomputer Systems, Inc. (TCS), Chicago Heights, for a computerized telephone system for the collection of patient accounts. This system currently utilized by several other Chicago area hospitals and by the University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics (UIH&C) since September 1991 is designed to improve collection productivity by client contact through automated telephone dialing of delinquent small balance accounts (under $ 1,000 and delinquent by more than 90 days). TCS provides the site for the hardware and software. This system has provided improved collections and decreased operating expenses by greatly increasing the number of telephone contacts per day by collectors. In addition, the system has improved cash flow by quickly identifying and referring delinquent accounts to collection agencies and also provides documentation demonstrating that UIH&C has made a good-faith effort to collect unpaid bills. Such documentation is essential to receive credit under the provisions of the State of Illinois Collections Act and to be reimbursed for unpaid patient share of costs under the Medicare program. Under the contract, UIH&C will pay TCS $3.00 per account for maintenance of the system and the staff to operate it, regardless of subsequent collection. The contract is for the period of July 1, 1994, through June 30, 1995, with the delegation of authority to the comptroller to renew the contract for one additional year. It is estimated that 25,000 accounts will be referred to TCS during the contract period at a cost of $75,000. Based on experience from Fiscal Year 1994, the contract is estimated to generate receipts of $1,100,000. Receipts will be deposited into and payments will be made from the Hospital Income Fund. The vice president for business and finance concurs. I recommend approval.

On motion of Dr. Bacon, this recommendation was approved by the following vote: Aye, Dr. Bacon, Mr. Boyle, Mrs. Calder, Dr. Gindorf, Mr. Grabowski, Mrs. Gravenhorst, Mr. Lamont, Ms. Lopez, Ms. Reese; no, none; absent, Governor Edgar. (The student advisory vote was: Aye, Ms. Huff; absent, Mr. Riley.)

Contracts for Medical Assistance No Grant (MANG) Services, University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics, Chicago

(19) The chancellor at Chicago recommends the approval of contracts with Grabowski 8c Clutts, Evans ton; HHL Financial Services, Inc., Lincolnwood; and Great Lakes Medicaid, Inc., Chicago, for services associated with the filing of Medicaid applications. Grabowski 8c Clutts will assist all patients unable to pay for necessary medical care in filing applications and in qualifying for Medical Assistance No Grant (MANG). Hospital staff who provided a similar service in the past are no longer available to assist in this because they have been re-assigned within the Admissions area as a result of the operations improvement process. Grabowski 8c Clutts was selected in a process that included written responses to a Request for Proposal, as well as interviews. Grabowski 8c Clutts will receive a flat monthly commission equal to $40,000 with a MANG approval guarantee of 160