The Houston Health Department (HHD) requests City Council to approve an Ordinance authorizing and approving an agreement between Harris County (the County) and the City of Houston for the provision of non-emergency alternate transportation services on behalf of the Houston Fire Department (HFD). The term of the contract is from March 1, 2016 – June 30, 2016 for a maximum contract amount of $92,726.26.
The County, through the Harris County Community Services Department, Office of Transit Services RIDES program, offers non-emergency alternate transportation services to elderly, disabled and low-income residents of Harris County who are unable to access alternate transportation for medical trips, work trips and other essential needs trips to remain independent in the community. HHD will contract with the County to provide non-emergency transportation services to HFD’s patients who utilize the Emergency Tele-Health and Navigation Program (“ETHAN”) administered by HFD.
This agreement will replace an existing agreement between Harris County and Harris County Healthcare Alliance (HCHA), a Texas non-profit corporation that is being terminated due to the dissolution of HCHA. In that agreement HCHA subcontracted with Harris County RIDES for the transportation services for ETHAN patients. Prior to dissolution HCHA advised City that HCHA would no longer invoice City for funds to pay money owed to County RIDES as a subcontractor to HCHA. As of February 29, 2016 the County estimates that RIDES program has provided services to City valued at $52,726.26 that have not been paid for by HCHA. As an inducement to continue to provide RIDES services under this Agreement, the City and County desire to compromise and settle all claims County may have arising out of the City's Contractor, Harris County Healthcare Alliance’s, alleged failure to pay County for the Prior Services.
The ETHAN program is an innovative technology-based program managed by the Houston Fire Department (HFD) to connect non-emergency patients with primary care services and provide an alternative transportation. It increases the efficiency of HFD by allowing units to go back in service much faster by avoiding transportation to the emergency room. UT Health Science Center estimates that the ETHAN program has saved the City of Houston around $7 million in the last year. The program has received national attention for its innovative model and has put the City of Houston at the forefront of emergency medical services innovation.