Report says Highco independence not feasible
By
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The Highland County Press
The Highland County Board of Commissioners have received a report from Ken Albert of the Non-Profit Solutions Group, who was contracted by the Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities to conduct a study to determine if it was financially feasible for Highco, Inc. to become the Medicaid provider of record and with the increased income become the employer of Developmental Disabilities employees who already worked at Highco.
The Highland County Press reported on April 1 that the board of Developmental Disabilities had started the process of conducting a feasibility study that could lead to independent operations for Highco, Inc.
Albert was employed to conduct the study. The cost of the study is a maximum of $5,000, and will come out of board of DD funds.
Linda Allen, president of the Highland County Board of DD, said that the ultimate goal of the board is what is best for the students and clients in their programs.
“Right now, we’re in the process of evaluating the possibility,” Allen said this spring. “With the constant state budget cuts and rising costs to operate Hills and Dales, we’re looking at any avenue to continue to make this a very good experience for our clients and offer all the opportunities we can. But we will only do it if it is beneficial for both groups, and not just from a financial standpoint.”
Allen said that this is not about the board of DD not wanting to work with Highco, rather it’s about exploring possibilities that will be there to benefit both groups, and the people they serve, as well as the taxpayers who fund the programs.
“In no way, shape or form are we trying to distance ourselves from Highco,” Allen said. “We just have to evaluate the possibilities. Other groups are doing this, and it was brought to our attention, and we’re kind of checking it out. We’re not even close to anything. It’s so preliminary. That’s why we had Ken Albert come in to do an assessment.”
Albert's assessment, released Sept. 28 by the county commissioners, is titled "Why Highco Independence Project (HIP) Is Not Feasible for Implementation."
In his report, Albert states the following.
As part of the study, a financial analysis was separately conducted by the Non-Profit Solutions Group and the Assistant Superintendent/Business Manager, and Mr. Albert reported that of the over $3.5 million DD budget, there was only a difference of $3,000-$4,000 between both studies.
At both the Highco and HCBDD Board meetings in August, the Assistant Superintendent/Business Manager reported the financial analysis results of two 2012 Budget scenarios: the status quo, and that of resulting from implementation of HIP. He indicated to both Boards that HIP was not financially feasible and recommended that it not be implemented. Both Boards were not favorable to implement HIP.
Below is the complete listing of reasons why HIP is not feasible:
1. At the onset of the study, it was decided that to approve HIP, there must be a good outcome for both Highco, Inc. and the HCBDD – this was not found to result;
2. For the 2012 Budgets, it is projected that the Highco Board would experience a loss of approximately $180,000;
3. A loss of revenue at the county level would result, since Highco, Inc. would directly receive and deposit income derived from Medicaid billing for services;
4. To ensure the financial stability of Highco, Inc.; and
5. Most importantly, to ensure quality services to adults with disabilities receiving services from Highco, Inc.[[In-content Ad]]
The Highland County Board of Commissioners have received a report from Ken Albert of the Non-Profit Solutions Group, who was contracted by the Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities to conduct a study to determine if it was financially feasible for Highco, Inc. to become the Medicaid provider of record and with the increased income become the employer of Developmental Disabilities employees who already worked at Highco.
The Highland County Press reported on April 1 that the board of Developmental Disabilities had started the process of conducting a feasibility study that could lead to independent operations for Highco, Inc.
Albert was employed to conduct the study. The cost of the study is a maximum of $5,000, and will come out of board of DD funds.
Linda Allen, president of the Highland County Board of DD, said that the ultimate goal of the board is what is best for the students and clients in their programs.
“Right now, we’re in the process of evaluating the possibility,” Allen said this spring. “With the constant state budget cuts and rising costs to operate Hills and Dales, we’re looking at any avenue to continue to make this a very good experience for our clients and offer all the opportunities we can. But we will only do it if it is beneficial for both groups, and not just from a financial standpoint.”
Allen said that this is not about the board of DD not wanting to work with Highco, rather it’s about exploring possibilities that will be there to benefit both groups, and the people they serve, as well as the taxpayers who fund the programs.
“In no way, shape or form are we trying to distance ourselves from Highco,” Allen said. “We just have to evaluate the possibilities. Other groups are doing this, and it was brought to our attention, and we’re kind of checking it out. We’re not even close to anything. It’s so preliminary. That’s why we had Ken Albert come in to do an assessment.”
Albert's assessment, released Sept. 28 by the county commissioners, is titled "Why Highco Independence Project (HIP) Is Not Feasible for Implementation."
In his report, Albert states the following.
As part of the study, a financial analysis was separately conducted by the Non-Profit Solutions Group and the Assistant Superintendent/Business Manager, and Mr. Albert reported that of the over $3.5 million DD budget, there was only a difference of $3,000-$4,000 between both studies.
At both the Highco and HCBDD Board meetings in August, the Assistant Superintendent/Business Manager reported the financial analysis results of two 2012 Budget scenarios: the status quo, and that of resulting from implementation of HIP. He indicated to both Boards that HIP was not financially feasible and recommended that it not be implemented. Both Boards were not favorable to implement HIP.
Below is the complete listing of reasons why HIP is not feasible:
1. At the onset of the study, it was decided that to approve HIP, there must be a good outcome for both Highco, Inc. and the HCBDD – this was not found to result;
2. For the 2012 Budgets, it is projected that the Highco Board would experience a loss of approximately $180,000;
3. A loss of revenue at the county level would result, since Highco, Inc. would directly receive and deposit income derived from Medicaid billing for services;
4. To ensure the financial stability of Highco, Inc.; and
5. Most importantly, to ensure quality services to adults with disabilities receiving services from Highco, Inc.[[In-content Ad]]