Commissioners reject Premier bid, keep RCS in-home services

Courier-Tribune (Asheboro, NC)

June 06--ASHEBORO -- Regional Consolidated Services got a reprieve from the Randolph County Board of Commissioners Monday night when another agency was the low bidder to provide in-home services for the elderly.

Despite being more than 50 percent lower on Level III home management services, Premier Home Health Care Services was passed over for Regional Consolidated Services (RCS), a local non-profit that has provided in-home services for 34 years. Premier has locations in several states, including High Point.

"In 34 years, I haven't heard many complaints" about RCS, said Darrell Frye, vice chair of the board. He also expressed the concern that Premier could have "a lot of turnover" of employees. "Numbers are important," he said of the bids, "but I'm concerned about consistency, efficiency and history. Those are factors we have to consider."

Commissioner Kenny Kidd expressed doubts about the bids Premier turned in, showing a difference of just $1.50 between Level I and Level III care while the spread of RCS was some $10. "My concern is the population (being) served," he said, as well as the "people serving in this program."

While Premier's unit rate for Level III was much lower than RCS's, the commissioners suspected that employee benefits played a big role in that. Jennifer Gentzlinger, regional director of managed care for Premier, said the company provides $200 per month for employees to buy their own health insurance as well as mileage.

But Krystal Parks, executive director of RCS, said their in-home service providers are given benefits "in line with the county." That includes company health insurance, mileage and paid vacations.

During the public comment period at the beginning of the meeting, six persons spoke on behalf of RCS, including two clients in wheelchairs.

One, Sherry Grant, urged the commissioners to base their decision "not on the bottom line but on the entire person. They're the most qualified, loving, compassionate people. I'm blessed with someone every day not only for doing their jobs but for the support system. They deserve to continue what they've built for 34 years."

Debbie Dean, also in a wheelchair, said, "RCS has been with me through thick and thin. They provide things I cannot do. The greatest gifts we can give the elderly are service and our heart. I'm eternally grateful for RCS, and more than anything, for their heart."

Also speaking on behalf of RCS were Elizabeth Mitchell, chief professional officer for United Way of Randolph County, which helps fund the agency; Philip Shore, president of the RCS Board of Directors; Taylor Callicutt, member of the RCS board; and Parks.

Mitchell said she had "deep concerns on the recommendation to reward the grant to Premier. The commissioners have the right to make the final decision." She encouraged them to keep RCS "as continued server of in-home services."

Shore reminded the commissioners that RCS in-home service has "successfully operated 34 years, providing job creation." Referencing the unit rate bids, he said the RCS workers may receive low pay but have good fringe benefits to help offset the pay rates.

Callicutt noted that the CNAs working for RCS, on average, have 11 years with the agency. He said that if RCS loses the contract for in-home services, 10 employees will be out of work.

"You get what you pay for," Callicutt said. "The (clients) we're dealing with are vulnerable." He added that RCS would care for 112 clients as opposed to just 43 by Premier.

After discussion ended, Frye entered a motion to approve RCS as in-home care provider, with Maxton McDowell seconding the motion. The vote was 4-0 in favor of the motion.

The commissioners also authorized the use of $785,315 in Home and Community Care Block Grant funds by the Randolph County Senior Adults Association for the 2018-19 fiscal year.

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