Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout09- September 1, 2011 Special Meeting Minutes CITY OF OPA-LOCKA "The Great City" CLERK'S ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING Thursday, September 1,2011 @ 3:00 p.m. City Commission Chambers 777 Sharazad Boulevard Opa-locka,FL 33054 1. ROLL CALL: The City Commission of the City of Opa-locka, Florida met in special session on Thursday, September 1, 2011 @ 3:05 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers, 777 Sharazad Blvd. Opa- locka, Florida. The following members of the City Commission were present: Vice Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Tydus, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Taylor. Commissioner Timothy Holmes was not in attendance and City Clerk Deborah S. Irby arrived after roll call was taken. Also in attendance were; Interim City Manager Bryan Finnie and City Attorney Joseph Geller. 2. INVOCATION: The Invocation was recited by Commissioner Rose Tydus. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison. 4. RESOLUTION: a. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA- LOCKA, FLORIDA AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SELECT UNITED NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH PLAN AS THE PROVIDER FOR THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA HEALTH AND VISION PLANS, AND SOLSTICE BENEFITS, INC. AS THE PROVIDER FOR THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA'S DENTAL GROUP PLANS, FOR THE BENEFIT YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2011, EXPIRING SEPTEMBER 30, 2012; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Sponsored by C.M. The above resolution was read by title by Attorney Joseph Geller. Mayor Taylor asked for a motion. It was moved by Commissioner Miller, seconded by Vice Mayor Johnson for discussion. Vice Mayor Johnson asked the Manager; as it relates to the recommendation from the Insurance provider, what was the difference in the price with the other companies that are listed? 1 Special Commission Meeting Minutes—09/01/2011 Manager Finnie stated that he did not have the exact prices; however, the company that he is recommending, United Neighborhood Health Plan is the lowest priced service provider. Vice Mayor asked if a representative was present. Mr. Finnie stated that United was present. Vice Mayor Johnson asked Charles Citrin insurance agent for the city to approach the Commission. Mr. Charles Citrin of Citrin Financial Insurance 300 71St Street Miami Beach Florida appeared before the City Commission to answer any questions they may have. Vice Mayor asked, what is the difference in the pricing with the company the Manager is recommending and the other companies which submitted proposals. Mr. Citrin stated that the Manager's recommendation is sensitive to the city's budget and will save over$100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand dollars) to the city this year. Vice Mayor asked if the insurance which the city previously have, was it a PPO? Mr. Citrin stated that no, the insurance is an HMO with only one person on the PPO. He further stated that this company has two HMO's and one POS. He stated that the POS works a lot like the PPO. Vice Mayor Johnson asked, will this new insurance allow the employees more of a choice of physicians to choose from? Mr. Citrin replied, yes. He said that United had a much larger network than Coventry. Vice Mayor Johnson thanked the agent, the City Manager and his staff for a great job. Commissioner Tydus stated that she was concerned about services. She asked, in comparison to Coventry, what are the services that will be continued and which services will be limited. Mr. Citrin responded and said that this will be the fourth insurance company that the city had dealt with. He stated that with Coventry there was a lot is dissatisfaction among the employees with the service. He further stated that United will work closely with the Human Resource Department so that all services can be in favor of the employees. Commissioner Tydus asked, what will their work be regarding the HR Department? Mr. Citrin stated that it is not always the insurance company that is to blame, sometimes it is the provider, and he said that United Health is coming in with the understanding that the major concern of the city is service. He said that United have given the city a commitment for excellent service. 2 Special Commission Meeting Minutes—09/01/2011 Commissioner Tydus stated that AvMed and Humana had more services which benefited seniors, especially for health and wellness. Mr. Citrin stated that United has a positive Wellness Program. He said that the quotes for wellness were much higher from the other companies than it was from United. Commissioner Tydus stated that she needed to know specifically as far as health and wellness regarding seniors; she said with Coventry there was a discount to gym memberships. She asked if there were any provisions for this service with United Health Plan? Mr. Citrin stated that he did not know if this provision was available. Commissioner Tydus asked that a Rep. from United approach the Commission. Mayor Taylor asked if anything has changed in terms of office visit cost, emergencies etc. that would be out of pocket for the employees. Mr. Citrin stated that those charges will go up from $15.00 with Coventry to $25.00 with United. He stated that the pharmacy was the same; the emergency room is now $200.00 rather than $100.00, and$45.00 for a specialist rather than $30.00. Mayor Taylor asked, so how do you figure this is a better plan? Mr. Citrin said he thinks United gives the city the biggest bang for the buck. Manager Finnie stated that all of the cost was reviewed and the prices were discussed in detail. He said the other companies were much the same with the exception of Coventry. Citrin stated that United is the best plan for the employees. He stated that Coventry did not go over well with the city. Commissioner Tydus inquired about referrals with the HMO and PPO. Mr. Citrin stated that a referral would not be needed. Vice Mayor stated that she would like to see some type of wellness program incorporated within the health care. She said the discounts for these programs are needed. Brian Murray from United Health Care appeared before the commission and stated that United can actively promote the wellness components and the aspects of the plan through the nurse line program which will be available for everyone. He stated that United has some plans that included the wellness programs, and in review of the city's pricing, those plans were more expensive. He said the plan offered more access to providers, but outside of that a wellness program would come at a cost. 3 Special Commission Meeting Minutes—09/01/2011 He said that he would make sure that the network is best utilized by committing to a partnership in the wellness arena and how to access your benefits. Mayor Taylor asked, can she keep her same doctor? Mr. Murray stated that if the doctor is a participating contractor, then you can keep the same doctor or you may have to make a change. He also stated that if someone is in the middle of treatment, like transition of care, this would absolutely apply that you can remain with your doctor and treat this like the doctor was in the network for the member. He said this includes both the HMO &POS. Mr. Citrin stated that they would commit to put together a Health Fair and get United Health and other vendors and contribute money towards a wellness program. Commissioner Tydus stated that she is especially concerned about health and wellness because of her personal involvement. She said when the city changed insurance companies, the gym membership which she had no longer applied to the Silver Sneakers program which was provided for seniors. She continued to say that with Coventry there was a discount, but it was not significant and it was not a wide range of service and her membership was not honored. She said she is concerned that the city does not have gym membership which is an integral part of fitness and wellness available for the employees. Vice Mayor Johnson said that through the employee's discount, perhaps the city can contact some of the different gyms at Betty Ferguson center and Miami Lakes and for employee discounts for services. Commissioner Tydus stated that she would like for the new insurance to at least provide for services to the Betty Ferguson Center. She said she did not know how much the cost would be, but it couldn't be that much. Manager Finnie stated that he would do some research on this issue about the discounts. Commissioner Miller asked how expensive PPO is. Mr. Murray stated that United has POS which is very similar to a PPO. He said to add a PPO the rate is more than Five Hundred dollars. He said to offer a PPO is much cost prohibited. He stated that a POS was provided to the members if they so choose to utilize it. It will cost extra, but the employees do have a choice. After further brief discussion, it was moved by Commissioner Miller, seconded by Vice Mayor Johnson to pass the above resolution. The motion passed by a vote of 3-1. Commissioner Tydus No 4 Special Commission Meeting Minutes—09/01/2011 Commissioner Miller Yes Vice Mayor Johnson Yes Commissioner Holmes Not Present Mayor Taylor Yes The Manager stated that staff will notify everyone of the enrollment status so that everyone can be enrolled within the expected time frame. He also stated the city will continue with Coventry until October 1, 2011. 5. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further discussion, the special meeting adjourned at 3:42 p.m. MA SR ATTEST: CITY CLERK 5 Special Commission Meeting Minutes—09/01/2011