By KEN de la BASTIDE
After several months of delays, Howard County expects to advertise for proposals on a new employee health care plan.
Last year, county officials were in discussions with Novia Health Clinics about a possible merger with the city of Kokomo to provide employee care in the former Early Childhood Learning Center. Kokomo’s health care clinic is scheduled to open March 15.
But once the county started considering the Novia proposal, at least two local businesses expressed an interest in seeking the county contract.
Wanda McKillip, personnel administrator for Howard County, said Thursday the county is requesting competitive sealed proposals for a health care plan.
McKillip said county officials worked with representatives from Miles & Finch, the county’s insurance agent, on developing the guidelines for the proposals.
She said the request for proposals will be advertised by the end of this month or in April.
In addition to Novia, McKillip said companies expressing an interest in providing health care for the county include: Howard Regional Health System, American Health Network and Community Health North.
She said the county is looking to sign a one-year contract with options for additional years.
“There were a lot of businesses interested in submitting a proposal to the county,” McKillip said. “We wanted to give everyone a chance.”
In December, American Health Network — with clinics in Kokomo, Russiaville and Peru — said it would provide services to the county with employee co-payments and lab-service fees waived.
Ben H. Park, president of American Health Network, said the company would only be paid if the county saved money. He said the company would share equally with the county any cost-savings.
• Ken de la Bastide is enterprise editor of the Kokomo Tribune. Contact him at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com or 765-454-8580.
