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Hays County signs contract to pursue public‑health reimbursements through JBI
Summary
The Hays County Health Department won approval to contract with Justice Benefits Inc. to pursue Medicaid‑related reimbursements from the Public Health Provider Charity Fund. The vendor will be paid 22% of collected reimbursements; staff estimated early revenue at roughly $10,000–$60,000 in year one.
County health officials told the court they intend to tap an underused Medicaid‑related reimbursement pool for public‑health providers and asked to hire Justice Benefits Inc. (JBI) to set up billing, reporting and audit processes. Director Matthew Gonzales said JBI specializes in the public‑health charity fund and would only be paid from recovered reimbursements; the proposed fee is 22% of recoveries and the not‑to‑exceed contract amount is $100,000.
Gonzales said comparable health departments have recovered between roughly $10,000 and $60,000 in early years. Purchasing agent Stephanie Hunt told the court staff researched alternatives and recommended a waiver to the normal three‑quote rule because JBI’s service is specialized; the contract includes a not‑to‑exceed cap and language allowing for future procurement if usage grows. The court approved the contract and the waiver by roll‑call vote.
Commissioners asked about estimated returns and vendor selection; Gonzales and county staff said the vendor handles set‑up, reporting templates and audits, and will charge only on generated revenue. The court approved the item and directed staff to monitor performance and bring back results if procurement alternatives become available.
