Agenda 04/26/2011 Item # 9C
.
.
.
4/26/2011 Item 9.C.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Authorize the Chairman to sign a Resolution urging NCH, TRlCARE and Humana to resolve their .
differences and encourage our elected , federal representatives to intervene to ensure fair
reimbursement rates to medical providers through the TRlCARE system and quality health care to
our deserving active and retired military personnel.
OBJECTIVE: For the Board of County Commissioners to urge all parties to resolve their
differences allowing the NCH to once again be part of the TRlCARE network.
CONSIDERATIONS: The federal representatives also need to become involved in the issue that is
preventing our deserving active and retired military personnel from receiving quality health care
due to the reimbursement rates to medical providers.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: None
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION: A copy of the Resolution be forwarded to all parties so they can
understand the concern being expressed by the Collier County Board of County Commissioners
Prepared By: Ian Mitchell
Attachments:
Packet Page -634-
4/26/2011 Item 9.C.
.
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 9.C.
Item Summary: Authorize the Chairman to sign a Resolution urging NCH, TRICARE and
Humana to resolve their differences and encourage our elected, federal representatives to
intervene to ensure fair reimbursement rates to medical providers through the TRICARE system
and quality health care to our deserving active and military personnel.
Meeting Date: 4/26/2011
Prepared By
Name: Ian Mitchell
Title: Executive Manager, BCC
4/20/2011 2:09:40 PM
Submitted by
. Title: Executive Manager, BCC
Name: Ian Mitchell
4/20/2011 2:09:42 PM
Approved By
Name: IsacksonMark
Title: Director-Corp Financial and Mgmt Svs,CMO
Date: 4/20/2011 3:17:21 PM
.
Packet Page -635-
.
.
.
4/26/2011 Item 9.G.
RESOLUTION NO. 2011-
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, ENCOURAGING NCH HEAL THCARE
SYSTEM, TRICARE AND HUMANA MILITARY HEALTHCARE
SERVICES TO RESOLVE ANY ISSUES SO AS TO ALLOW NCH TO
REMAIN A CONTRACTED PROVIDER WITH TRICARE.
WHEREAS, TRICARE is the health care program serving uniformed service members,
retirees and their families worldwide; and
'WHEREAS, TRICARE has partnered with regional contractors in the United States,
including Humana Military Healthcare Services for Florida and the south region, to provide
health care services and support to beneficiaries; and
WHEREAS, the NCH Healthcare System is one of the most progressive in the country
with two hospitals and an alliance of more than 500 independent physicians and medical
facilities in dozens of locations throughout Collier County and Southwest Florida; and
WHEREAS, TRICARE serves approximately 9.6 million beneficiaries worldwide
including thousands of active and retired military personnel and their families who live in Collier
COlmtyand Southwest Florida; and
WHEREAS, the low reimbursement rates provided by TRICARE may have led to the
decision by NCH to withdraw from the TRICARE system; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners believes a promise made should be a
promise kept in that the. men and women who have served and are currently serving in the U.S.
Armed Forces do so with an understanding that their government will provide them with low
cost, high-quality, and accessible health care; and
WHEREAS, NCH's withdrawal from the TRICARE system may place an undue burden
on military families, particularly retirees in our community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMJ\.1ISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the Board strongly urges NCH,
TRICARE and Humana to resolve their differences so as to allow NCH to be a part of the
TRICi\RE network, and the Board also encourages our elected representatives to intervene to
ensure fair reimbursement rates to medical providers through the TRICARE system and quality
health care to our active and retired military personnel.
Packet Page -636-
4/26/2011 Item g.C.
TillS RESOLUTION ADOPTED after motion, second and majority vote on this the .
day of ,2011.
ATTEST:
DWIGHT E. BROCK, Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
By:
, Deputy Clerk
By:
FRED W. COYLE, CHAIRMAN
as to form and
c' ~'\I~=,"<--"
~ r-
.
.
2
Packet Page -637-
.
.
.
Military families learn Tricare isn' t a preferred NCH Healthcare insurer: Naples Daily News
4/26/2011 Item 9.G.
naplesnews.com
Print0r-fri;}ndl~' sto'y
Road more at naplosnews_com
Military families learn Tricare isn't a preferred
NCH Healthcare insurer
By LIZ FREEMAN
Thursday, April 14, 2011
NAPLES - Kathleen Rever was stunned by the letter from the federal health
insurance program for the military that said she could no longer see the primary care
doctor she had come to trust.
The March 11 letter from Tricare for active duty and retired military, along with their
far:nily members, simply stated her doctor no longer was available. The 55-year-old
was being assigned to a doctor in Cape Coral, a bit of a distance from her south Fort
Myers home, and the switch was effective in two weeks.
After several phone calls, her husband, Kim Rever, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel,
learned the NCH Healthcare System no longer was part of the Tricare network. Initially
he was told by an NCH patient advocate that there must be some mistake.
NCH officials have confirmed in a statement that NCH hasn't been a contracted
provider with Tricare through its network in the region, Humana. The hospital system
hasn't been able to reach an agreement that is satisfactory to all parties, NCH
spokeswoman Debbie Curry said.
"Because of this, the small number of patients who use Humana Tricare or Tricare
Prime may experience a higher out-of-pocket expense when using the NCH
Healthcare System services, including services provided by the NCH Healthcare
Group," she said in a statement.
A Humana military spokesman said Humana hasn't been notified of anything by NCH.
'We have received no notification," said Walter Walker, the spokesman.
The Revers aren't happy with the way it was handled.
"I think NCH has set a bad precedent by doing this," said Kim Rever, a retired colonel
with the U.S. Air Force.
Officials with the Military Officers Association of Southwest Florida weren't aware of
NCH's decision and also point to how declining reimbursements to doctors from
Tricare is a likely factor.
http://www.naplesnews.comlnews/2011/apr/14/Hum P k t P --. 638' lsure-NCH- Healthcare/?print=l
ac e age - -
4/18/2011
Military families learn Tricare isn't a preferred NCH Healthcare insurer: Naples Daily News
4/26/2011 Item 9.C.
The physician reimbursement through Tricare is tied to reimbursement from Medicare,
the federal insurance provider for the elderly, which is subject every year to payment
cuts to doctors until Congress acts to avert the cuts, usually in the 11th hour.
.
Last fall, NCH assumed control of Anchor Health Center locations and 53 Anchor
physicians signed employment contracts with NCH. Kathleen Rever's primary-care
physician was one of them.
In Florida, there are 402,000 Tricare beneficiaries but a figure for Southwest Florida
wasn't available.
"There's no statistic but there's an awful lot of retired military," said Kenny King,
personal affairs officer for the Southwest Florida chapter of the military officers'
association. "There's got to be several thousand retired military in this area."
King, 63, said he's concerned about events with Tricare coverage and what's
transpired with NCH.
"Basically the government promises us we would never get rich but we'll be taken care
of," he said, referring to military careers. King spent more than 33 years in the Air
Force.
King said he isn't aware of any other health-care providers changing gears to no longer
be network providers for Tricare.
Kathleen Rever is fed up and said what happened is one reason why she and her
husband plan to move to Texas.
.
"We have to be near people who respect the military and provide us care and it isn't
here," she said.
_ Connect with Liz Freeman at www.naplesnews.com/staff/liz_freeman
liil] "2011 .""PO' New,.",., Gro". - O,U"'
.
http://www.naplesnews.comlnews/2011lapr/14/Humpk.t P ---639' Isure-NCH-Healthcare!?print=l
ac e age - -
4/18/2011