Stephenson County panel advances two bidders for nursing center billing; approves advance to cover TCM invoices

The Stephenson County Finance Committee on Monday advanced two finalists for billing, collection and consulting services for the Stephenson County Nursing Center and approved a resolution to advance nursing-facility levy funds to pay outstanding invoices to Transitional Care Management (TCM).

Committee members reviewed four proposals in response to an RFP for billing, collection, accounting and consulting: Hayward Financial Group, CC and M, AGT (identified in the packet as a nonnursing billing firm), and Matrix (MatrixCare/affiliated vendors). After presentations and discussion about experience, integration with the nursing center’s electronic health record and fees for handling outstanding accounts receivable, the committee directed staff to seek more information and move Hayward Financial Group and Matrix forward for further review ahead of full-board action.

The vote to advance the two finalists was recorded as committee consensus rather than a roll-call decision; no final contract was awarded Monday. County staff and several committee members emphasized the need for clearer performance metrics from proposers, including clean-claim rate, days in accounts receivable, net collection rate and reconciliation procedures.

“Hayward Financial Group is dedicated to supporting Stephenson County as a community asset,” Malasia Hayward, CEO of Hayward…