04/06/1988 BOH Minutes
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The New Hanover County Board of Health met on Wednesday, April 6,
1988, at the Health Department.
Members Present:
Jean Credle, Chairman
Donald Blake
Pascal Camak, DDS
Albert Corbett
Michael Goins, OD
Julius Howard
John Leonard, DVM
Amaryllis Rehder
Sheram Robinson
Catherine Vangellow
Members Absent:
Peter Pappas, M. D.
Others Present:
Robert S. Parker, Secretary to the Board
Frances F. De Vane, Recording Secretary
Ms. Credle called the meeting to order at 8:00 A. M. Mr. Howard
presented the invocation. Ms. Credle called for corrections to
the minutes of the meeting of March 2, 1988. Mr. Howard moved
the minutes be approved. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.
Department Focal:
Ms. Dianne Harvell, Environmental Health Director, presented to
the Board members a Sewage Program Update on alternate type
sewage systems at Figure Eight Island and Oyster Point. She
distributed handouts on the Maintenance of Sewage Systems.
Budget Committee
Dr. Leonard, Chairman, reported that the Budget Committee will
meet after the recommended budget is received from the County
Manager. He reported that the Office of Management and Budget
had notified the Health Department that they had submitted an
excellent budget and that a hearing would not be necessary. The
Budget Committee will present the FY 1988-89 Budget at the May
Board of Health meeting.
Personnel Committee
Mr. Howard, Chairman, reported that the Personnel Committee met
on April 1, 1988, and reviewed the Board of Health's performance
appraisals of Mr. Parker, Health Director. The Committee
recommended a 2.5% merit increase. He commended Mr. Parker for
outstanding performance. Mr. Howard moved that the Board approve
the 2.5% salary increase. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.
L (\
Community Relations Committee:
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Mr. Robinson, Chairman, presented a list of activities
recognizing Public Health Week (April 10 - 16, 1988). These
activities include Public service Announcements by Board of
Health members, public Health bulletin boards, health department
history for seventh graders in New Hanover County, and news
releases.
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Unfinished Business:
New Business:
Request New position - Community Health Technician - Home Health
Mr. Parker presented a request for a Community Health Technician,
Home Health, due to program expansion and increase of Home Health
services and visits. Mr. Howard moved that the request for the
new position of community Health Technician be approved. Upon
vote, the MOTION CARRIED.
Request New Position
Nutrition I - Wic
1/2 Time Nutritionist I to Full-time
Mr. Parker presented to the Board a request for the part-time
Nutritionist in wic to be increased to a full-time Nutritionist I
position. He stated this was necessary to meet the demands of
the present patient caseload. Ms. Vangellow moved that the Wic
Nutritionist I position be increased to a full-time Nutritionist
I position. upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.
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Revision of Bad Debt Write Off Policy New Hanover County Health
Department Fee policy
Mr. Parker presented a proposed Revision of the Bad Debt Write
Off Policy of the New Hanover County Fee pOlicy. He explained
that this new policy expands the present Family Planning Bad Debt
policy to include Personal Health Fees and expands the period of
time for bad debt write offs from one year to two years. Mr.
Corbett moved that the proposed Bad Debt Write Off Policy be
adopted as a revision to the New Hanover County Fee policy. Upon
vote, MOTION CARRIED. (Bad Debt Write Off Policy Attached)
Mr. Parker informed the Board that he plans to request that the
Board review the Fee Policy for all programs at the May Board of
Health meeting.
Fee Policy Clarification - Swimming Pool Plan Review
Mr. Parker stated that in the listing of Environmental Health
fees there is a charge for Swimming Pool Plan Review and that the ..
policy needs clarification for Swimming Pool Renovation Plan
Review. Ms. Harvell, Environmental Health Director, stated that --
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this charge would be difficult to apply and she recommended that
there be no charge for Swimming Pool Renovation Plan Review. It
was the consensus of the Board that swimming pool renovation plan
review should be excluded from Environmental Health fees.
Katie Beckett Proqram Changes
Mr. Parker recommended to the Board that Home Health continue as
case manager for the Katie Beckett Medicaid patient but that
Medical Personnel Pool should provide nursing care for this
patient. This recommendation is based upon modifications of
rulings from State Personnel and IRS which would require the
County to hire nursing personnel for Katie Beckett as employees
rather than independent contractors. Annual costs for this
service are in excess of $100,000. Mr. Blake moved that Home
Health continue as case manager for the Katie Beckett Medicaid
patient and that nursing care services be transferred to Medical
Personnel Pool. Upon vote, MOTION CARRIED.
Board Member Comments:
Ms. Credle congratulated Ms. Rehder for her participation on the
State Cancer Committee.
Health Director Comments:
Mr. Parker recognized the Board of Health as the most
progressive, enthusiastic Health Board in the State of North
Carolina. He congratulated them on their interest in health
promotions.
Mr. Parker reminded the Board of the Continuing Education Program
for Boards of Health which is scheduled on Thursday, April 21,
1988, from 6:30 P.M. - 9:30 P. M. at the Hilton in Wilmington,
North Carolina. This is an inservice on Health Department Fees
and Public Health Funding in North Carolina. Board members were
encouraged to attend this program.
Mr. Parker stated that Public Health Week is to be April 10 - 16,
1988.
Mr. Parker introduced the following new staff members:
Susan Stanton, Clerk Typist, Laboratory
Clay Feltman, Sanitarian Technician, Vector Control
Angela Evans, Clerk Typist, Community Health
Mr. Parker displayed the color scheme and building materials for
the addition to the health department building both interior and
exterior. He stated he felt they were architecturally
compatible. The total cost of this expansion is $1. 4 million.
Construction is to begin June 26, 1988.
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Mr. Parker reported that the momentum for the passage of the
Pepper/Roybal Bill (H.R. 3436) is tremendous. He stated that
this is one of the biggest happenings in Home Care since the
Medicaid Act. This Bill has been co-sponsored by Congressmen
Rose, Lancaster and Jones and is due voted upon in early May.
It will provide home care for disabled children, adults and
senior citizens.
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There being no further business, Mr. Blake moved the meeting be
adj ourned. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED. The meeting was
adjourned at 9:40 A. M.
R spectful~ed'
ean Credle
Chairman, Board of Health
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Robert S. Parker
Secretary to the Board
Approved:
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NEW HANOVER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
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BAD DEBT WRITE OFF POLICY
After all procedures have been followed as previously described
in the fee policy, the bad debt write offs will be handled as
follows:
The patient I s ledger card will be coded with a red "R" each
time the patient is reminded of the outstanding balance.
Bad debts will be written off as uncollectible, two years
following the date of the last visit except when:
1. There has been no intervening visit within two years
and the patient still wishes to remain an active
patient. Future services may be denied if effort for
payment is not made.
2. Small amounts are being paid toward the bill.
List of patients and amounts owed will be submitted to the Health
Director when the date list is submitted. Health Director must
approve with signature and date before proceeding further. Write
offs will be done by adjusting patients balance to "0" and ledger
card placed as inactive. Any future visits would reactivate the
ledger card and charges begin again. Patients with a previous
bad debt write off whose income is in the pay category will not
be allowed to charqe services. Patients returning who wish to
pay on previous balance ( even though it may have been written
off) will be allowed to do so.
Clerk will make an adjustment in the Accounts Receivable Column
to reflect the amount of write offs and submit this in the
Quarterly Fees Report.
5-:25-g~
Date
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Health Director
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NHCHD 4/88
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