11252013 - News Article - Feds looking at Porter County wellness deal

Feds looking at Porter County wellness deal
NWI Times
Nov 25, 2013
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/duneland/feds-looking-at-porter-county-wellness-deal/article_2b43679c-1f29-56dc-8063-b00d205d8584.html

VALPARAISO | The FBI reportedly has taken possession of records related to the Porter County Board of Commissioners' decision last year to switch the provider of wellness and clinic service for county employees.

Agents showed up unannounced two or three weeks ago asking for information related to the request for proposals that led to the Dec. 18 decision to replace HealtheACCESS with Porter Regional Hospital's CareEXPRESS, said Mike Anton, who serves as the servicing agent for the county's health plan.

Anton said he provided the documents last week and knew of no reason for concern considering the process was transparent.

The change in providers was carried out by County Commissioners John Evans, R-North and Nancy Adams, R-Center, neither of whom returned a telephone call Monday for comment.

There also was no response from the FBI for comment.

Evans had said before making the motion for the change last year that HealtheACCESS had provided the services to the county for the two prior years, according to the minutes of the meeting. While the relationship was positive, he said the service had been underutilized.

In an effort to explore other models, the commissioners sought proposals from other providers, he said. Proposals were received from HealtheACCESS, IU Health, Franciscan Alliance and Porter Regional Hospital.

Evans said the group reviewed the proposals, conducted extensive interviews and settled on Porter's CareEXPRESS, which was the only firm not charging a flat fee regardless of use. CareEXPRESS offered capped rates as a built-in cost containment mechanism and required no contractual obligation.

A Porter representative declined to comment.