Loading...
Resolution No. 8490I - h= 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 RESOLUTION NO. 8490 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERNON APPROVING THE RENEWAL OF A MASTER STOP LOSS POLICY (UP-2R05) AND APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF VERNON AND UNITED OF OMAHA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY WHEREAS, the City of Vernon has agreements with United of Omaha Life Insurance Company ("Omaha") for administering the City's employee health care plan; and WHEREAS, on January 6, 2004, the Finance Committee considered the recommendations of Bruce V. Malkenhorst, Director of Finance, dated December 18, 2004, that the City approve the renewal package for medical/dental/life insurance renewals from Omaha-PPO Program -for 2004; and WHEREAS, the City desires to approve the renewal of the Master Stop Loss Policy (No. UP-2R05) with United effective January 1, 12004; and WHEREAS, Omaha has requested that the City sign an Administrative Services Agreement for the period January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2004, which is renewable for successive one-year periods unless 60 days written notice to terminate is provided; and WHEREAS, on July 13, 2004, the Finance Committee considered the recommendation of Bruce V. Malkenhorst, Director of Finance, dated July 7, 2004, that the Administrative Services Agreement be executed to implement the renewal of the group policies; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Vernon has determined that, pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of Section 2.27 of the Vernon City Code, it is in the public interest and 1 necessity to enter into an Administrative Services Agreement with 2 Omaha, to enhance services provided to the Vernon community. 3 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE 4 CITY OF VERNON AS FOLLOWS: 5 SECTION 1: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby 6 finds and determines that the recitals contained hereinabove are true 7 and correct. 8 SECTION 2: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby 9 approves the Administrative Services Agreement with United of Omaha 10 Life Insurance Company, in substantially the same form as Exhibit A 11 which attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. The City. 12 Council of the City of Vernon hereby approves the Master Stop Loss 13 Policy (No. UP-2R05) with Omaha, a copy of which is attached hereto as 14 Exhibit B and incorporated herein by reference. 15 SECTION 3: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby 16 authorizes the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute said Agreement for, 17 and on behalf of, the City of Vernon. 18 SECTION 4: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby 19 directs the City Clerk, or his designee, to send one fully executed 20 Agreement to: 21 Gallagher Benefit Services of California Attn: Brenda K. Lee, Senior Benefit Consultant 22 505 N. Brand Blvd., 6th Floor 23 Glendale, CA 91203-3944 24 25 26 27 28 - 2 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 SECTION 5: The City Clerk of the City of Vernon shall certify to the passage of this resolution, and thereupon and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 14th day of July, 2004. ATTEST: BRUCE V. MALKENHORST, City Clerk EONIS C. MAEBURG, Mayor - 3 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) ) ss ,COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) I, BRUCE V. MALKENHORST, City Clerk of the City of Vernon, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution, being Resolution No. 8490, was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Vernon at an adjourned regular meeting of the City Council duly held on Wednesday, July 14, 2004, and thereafter was duly signed by the Mayor of the City of Vernon. (SEAL) 0 BRUCE V. MALKENHORST, City Clerk - 4 - EXHIBIT VI& ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT between THE CITY OF VERNON and UNITED OF OMAHA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY TABLE OF CONTENTS RECITALS..................................................................................................................................... 1 SECTION l: DEFINITIONS.......................................................................................... ...... 1 SECTION 2: DUTIES OF COMPANY................................................................................... 2 SECTION 3: DUTIES OF CONTRACTHOLDER................................................................. 3 SECTION 4: FUNDING AND PAYMENT OF CLAIMS ...................................................... 4 SECTION 5: ENROLLMENT AND ELIGIBILITY............................................................... 5 SECTION 6: FRAUD IDENTIFICATION AND INVESTIGATION .................................... 5 SECTION 7: LIMITATIONS................................................................................................... 7 SECTION 8: ADMINISTRATION FEES AND OTHER EXPENSES ................................... 7 SECTION 9: LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION.......................................................... 8 SECTION 10: CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.................................................................. 9 SECTION 11: INSPECTION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS ................................................. 17 SECTION 12: MODIFICATION OF THIS AGREEMENT .................................................... 17 SECTION 13: MODIFICATION OF PLAN............................................................................18 SECTION 14: TERM AND TERMINATION......................................................................... 18 SECTION 15: GENERAL PROVISIONS............................................................................... 21 EXHIBIT 1 CLAIMS SERVICES EXHIBIT 2 CONTRACTHOLDEWS RESPONSIBILITIES EXHIBIT 3 COMPENSATION AND PAYMENTS EXHIBIT 4 MEDICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES EXHIBIT 5 OTHER SERVICES EXHIBIT 6 MANAGED CARE NETWORK SERVICES EXHIBIT 7 COBRA BILLING AND COLLECTION SERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT THIS ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), effective January 1, 2004 (the "Effective Date"), is between The City of Vernon ("Contractholder") and United of Omaha Life Insurance Company ("Company"). RECITALS A. Contractholder has adopted a self -funded program of hospital, medical, prescription drug, and dental benefits for its employees, retirees and their eligible dependents (the "Plan"); and B. For purposes of its administrative services, Company shall identify the Plan under Group ID G000-2R05; and C. This Administrative Services Agreement supersedes any prior similar agreement between the parties whether oral or written. In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the parties agree as follows: SECTION 1: DEFINITIONS The following terms have the following meanings. Any singular word shall include any plural of the same word. "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Omaha, Nebraska are authorized or required to remain closed. "Check" means the instrument of payment issued by Company for the payment of benefits under the Plan pursuant to this Agreement, whether such instrument is a draft or a check. "Discounted Charge" means the charge that a Provider has agreed to accept as payment in full in accordance with contractual arrangements with Company. A "Discounted Charge" does not include pharmaceutical rebates, and any other reductions, fees or credits a Provider may periodically give Company. For purposes of this definition, "Provider" means a health care provider, a provider network, a pharmacy benefit manager, or another vendor of health care services and supplies. "Governmental Authority" means the government of the United States or any state or political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government. "HIPAA" means the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of 1996, as amended from time to time, and regulations thereunder. "Law" means any and all laws, regulations, rules, ordinances and other binding requirements and judicial or administrative orders of a Governmental Authority. "Managed Care Network" means Company's preferred provider network, as it is constituted from time to time, or selected health care providers who have entered into agreements with Company, or with a party that has contracted with Company, to make themselves available to provide health care or prescription drugs to Participants. "Medical Specialty Network" means Company's network of organ and soft -tissue transplant medical centers. "MSN Provider" means a provider contracted, either directly or indirectly, with Company to provide organ/tissue transplants to Participants. Such providers shall include, but shall not be limited to, hospitals, physicians and ancillary providers associated with transplant medical centers in the Medical Specialty Network. "Network Provider" means a health care provider who has entered into an agreement with Company, or with a parry that has contracted with Company, to participate in the Managed Care Network. "Network Provider Agreement" means Company's agreement with a health care provider, or with a party that has contracted with a health care provider, that describes the terms under which the health care provider participates in the Managed Care Network. "Non -Network Provider" means a health care provider who is not a Network Provider. "Participant" means an employee or a retiree and his or her dependents who are covered under the Plan. "Plan Benefit Account" means an account established by the Company on which Plan benefit payments are issued by Company and other withdrawals are made by Company in accordance with this Agreement. "Subrogation" means the right to recover Plan benefit payments made to a Participant or a health care provider because of an injury to the Participant caused by a third party's wrongful act or negligence for which the Participant or health care provider later receives or is entitled to receive payment from the third party or the third party's insurer. SECTION 2: DUTIES OF COMPANY 2.1 Company's Responsibilities. Company shall provide the services described in this Agreement and the Exhibits attached hereto. 2.2 Fidelity Bond. Company shall maintain, at its sole expense, a fidelity bond covering losses caused by dishonesty of its officers, employees or agents, as well as loss or destruction of monies or other property belonging to others and held by Company, until such time as all duties of Company hereunder are fully discharged. 2 SECTION 3: DUTIES OF CONTRACTIIOLDER 3.1 Contractholder's Responsibilities. Contractholder shall comply with its duties and obligations described in Exhibit 2 and comply with its other duties and obligations described in this Agreement and the other Exhibits attached hereto. 3.2 Authority. Contractholder retains all authority and responsibility to control, manage and operate the Plan. 3.3 Responsibility for Plan Funding. Contractholder shall be solely responsible for determining the funding requirements for the Plan, including, without limitation, the contribution levels required for persons covered under the Plan.. Although Company may provide assistance or recommendations with respect to suggested Plan funding and contribution levels, Company does not guarantee, represent or warrant that any suggested Plan funding or contribution levels shall be adequate or may not need to be modified or adjusted based upon Plan participation, Plan design changes, claims experience under the Plan or for other reasons. 3.4 Financial Condition. Upon request of Company, Contractholder shall furnish information about its financial condition reasonably required by Company to determine the ability of Contractholder to meet its financial obligations under this Agreement. 3.5 Plan Documents. The parties acknowledge that, prior to the Effective Date, Contractholder has furnished to Company copies of all documents relating to the Plan, including, without limitation, the Plan instrument, the Summary Plan Description, a detailed description of Plan coverage, and employee communications relating to the Plan. Contractholder shall amend any such document, at the request of Company, if the provision to be amended is inconsistent with this Agreement. Contractholder shall be solely responsible for ensuring that all Plan documents comply with applicable laws and regulations. 3.6 Complaints by Participants. Contractholder shall promptly advise Company of any complaints made by Participants of which Contractholder is aware that concern the services provided by Company. 3.7 Contractholder's Authority. Contractholder or a fiduciary designated by Contractholder shall retain full discretion and authority to construe and interpret the Plan with respect to all questions regarding the amount and payment of any Plan benefits in accordance with the terms of the Plan. 3.8 Subrogation. Contractholder shall be solely responsible for investigation of potential Subrogation under the Plan, for pursuing and enforcing Subrogation under the Plan, and for making settlement decisions involving Subrogation. Company shall have no obligations or duties related to Subrogation under the Plan. SECTION 4: FUNDING AND PAYMENT OF CLAIMS 4.1 Plan Benefit Account. Contractholder shall maintain in the Plan Benefit Account an amount which shall be sufficient at all times to fund the Checks written on it for payment of Plan benefits and withdrawals by Company for such other fees, expenses, or charges as authorized in this Agreement. Contractholder authorizes Company to draw upon the Plan Benefit Account amounts representing payments authorized in this Agreement. 4.2 Plan Benefit Account Charges. Contractholder shall be responsible for all banking costs, fees and charges related to the maintenance and administration of the Plan Benefit Account. 4.3 Plan Benefit Account Reconciliation. Company shall perform all administrative functions necessary for the proper maintenance of the Plan Benefit Account, including a monthly reconciliation of the Plan Benefit Account bank statement. 4.4 Payment of Claims. Company shall issue Checks from the Plan Benefit Account for Plan benefits. Company shall have no obligation to issue Checks from the Plan Benefit Account if there are no or insufficient funds in the Plan Benefit Account. 4.5 Company is Not a Fiduciary or Plan Administrator. Company does not have any discretion in determining the amount and payment of Plan benefits, nor is Company authorized to manage, acquire or dispose of Plan assets on a discretionary basis. Company shall not be deemed to be a named fiduciary under the Plan or a fiduciary for any purpose or for any duties whatsoever. Additionally, Company is not the Plan "administrator" as deemed in Section 3(16)(A) of ERISA. 4.6 Underpayment/Overpayment. In no event shall Company be deemed to have a fiduciary obligation to pursue recovery of any incorrect claim payments. In the event Company pays any person less than the amount to which such person is entitled under the Plan, Company shall promptly adjust the underpayment by drawing the additional funds from the Plan Benefit Account. In the event Company overpays any person entitled to benefits under the Plan, or pays benefits to any person not entitled to them, Company or its subcontractor shall take reasonable steps to request return of the overpayment and, except as provided in Section 6, Company shall not initiate court proceedings or other legal action to recover an overpayment. Company shall only be liable for overpayments to the extent set forth in Section 9.6. 4 SECTION 5: ENROLLMENT AND ELIGIBILITY 5.1 Enrollment Responsibilities. Contractholder shall: (a) respond to all routine inquiries from Participants concerning enrollment in the Plan and its terms, conditions, and operations; (b) notify Participants of their right to apply for benefits and supply them with any necessary claim forms and claim filing instructions; (c) notify Participants of their COBRA and conversion rights, if any; and (d) notify Participants of any other rights as required of Contractholder by any applicable Law. 5.2 Eligibility. In determining any person's right to benefits under the Plan, Company shall rely upon eligibility information furnished by Contractholder. It is mutually understood that the effective performance by Company under this Agreement shall require that it be advised on a timely basis by Contractholder of the identity of persons covered under the Plan and the effective date or the termination date of their coverage. 5.3 Verification Process. Contractholder shall implement and maintain an enrollment and eligibility verification process which provides Company with Participant eligibility and enrollment information on a timely basis to enable Company to provide services under this Agreement. SECTION 6: FRAUD IDENTIFICATION AND INVESTIGATION 6.1 Fraud Services. Company shall perform the following services intended to identify, monitor and report suspected fraudulent, questionable and/or abusive claim practices by third parties (i.e., health care providers, persons covered under the Plan, and/or other persons or entities), that affect the Plan: (a) monitoring of health care providers, as Company in its sole judgment and discretion deems proper, appropriate or necessary, who may have engaged in suspected fraudulent, questionable and/or abusive billing practices, affecting a Plan claim; (b) providing a toll -free telephone number for employees to report suspected fraud or abuse related to a Plan claim; and (c) reporting suspected fraud or abuse related to a Plan claim to appropriate state and/or federal governmental authorities. 5 Company may, at its sole discretion, perform the following additional services: (a) Company may investigate and take steps to collect allegedly overpaid claims due to suspected fraudulent, questionable, and/or abusive claim information submitted to Company by a third party; (b) Company may investigate and prevent the payment of claims involving suspected fraudulent, questionable, and/or abusive claim information submitted to Company by a third party; and (c) in a situation in which Company has not identified any suspected fraudulent, questionable, and/or abusive claim practices, Company may nevertheless (i) perform audits of a health care provider to determine whether funds have been paid to such health care provider by Company in connection with a claim that exceed the actual charges billed by such health care provider, and (ii) initiate action to collect any claim overpayments. Company may perform any or all of the services described in this Section 6.1 only with respect to the Plan or in connection with Company's (or any affiliate's) performance of such services with respect to other plans that are or have been administered or insured by Company (or any affiliate), including, without limitation, Company's (or any affiliate's) group or individual insurance policies. Company may retain outside counsel, investigative firms, collection firms, or other parties to assist Company in the performance of its services described in this Section 6.1. 6.2 Standards, Practices and Procedures. Company may, at its sole discretion, utilize such standards, practices and procedures as it deems proper, appropriate or necessary to perform its fraud identification and investigation services herein. 6.3 Claim Overpayments Relating to Fraud Services. At its sole discretion, Company may notify Contractholder in the event Company initiates any steps to (a) collect any alleged Plan claim overpayments from a third party in accordance with Section 6.1, or (b) prevent the payment of any Plan claims in accordance with Section 6. L Company shall not be required to institute legal proceedings in order to seek recovery of any alleged Plan claim overpayments or to prevent the payment of any Plan claims due to suspected fraudulent, questionable, and/or abusive claim information submitted to Company. Nevertheless, Contractholder explicitly grants Company the sole discretion and authority to pursue any action to recover funds in accordance with Section 6.1 or to prevent the payment of claims in accordance with Section 6.1 on behalf of Contractholder, including, without limitation, the filing of a legal action in Company's name, and to settle and/or compromise such claims as Company, in its sole judgment and discretion, deems proper and appropriate under the circumstances. If Company decides to not investigate and take steps to collect allegedly overpaid Plan claims (e.g., because the estimated cost of investigation will exceed the amount of the overpaid claim), Company shall refer to Contractholder information relating to such 6 allegedly overpaid Plan claims. Contractholder may, at its sole discretion, effort and cost, investigate and take steps to collect any such Plan claim overpayments. 6.4 No Guarantee. Neither this Agreement nor the performance of any of its services under this Section 6 constitutes a guarantee by Company (or any affiliate) that it shall identify or investigate all fraudulent, questionable and/or abusive claim practices by third parties that affect the Plan or a guarantee that Company (or any affiliate) shall be successful in recovering any, overpaid Plan claims due to suspected fraudulent, questionable, and/or abusive claim information submitted to Company by third parties. 6.5 Request of Contractholder. Upon request of Contractholder to monitor, investigate or take any action with respect to suspected, fraudulent, questionable and/or abusive claim practices, Company may take such action or no action, as Company in its sole judgment and discretion deems proper, appropriate or necessary. 6.6 No Fiduciary Obligation. In no event shall Company be deemed to have a fiduciary obligation to pursue recovery of any claim overpayments or to identify, investigate, monitor or report suspected, fraudulent, questionable and/or abusive claim practices. SECTION 7: LUMTATIONS 7.1 Names. Contractholder shall not alter, use or reproduce, by any means, any logo, trademark, service mark or name of Company or any company affiliated with Company, in any advertising, publicity releases, customer lists or otherwise, without the prior written consent of an authorized representative of Company. 7.2 Disobey Laws. Contractholder shall not disobey or violate any applicable Laws. 7.3 Withhold Concurrence. Contractholder shall not unreasonably withhold concurrence so as to impair the efficiency of Company in all matters undertaken by Company which require Contractholder's concurrence. SECTION 8: ADMINISTRATION FEES AND OTHER EXPENSES 8.1 Fees and Expenses. Contractholder-shall: (a) pay Company the administration fees and other fees and payments for services performed under this Agreement as set forth in in Exhibit 3 and in other provisions of this Agreement. (b) pay or reimburse Company for other charges, fees, taxes, assessments, surcharges, expenses or debts for which Contractholder is responsible under this Agreement including, without limitation, any fees, taxes, assessments, surcharges, debts or expenses imposed upon the Plan or Contractholder by any Governmental Authority. 8.2 Withdrawals from Plan Benefit Account. Company may withdraw from the Plan Benefit Account any amounts which are due and payable to Company in accordance with Section 8.1(a) or Section 8.1(b). 8.3 Time of Payments. Unless Company withdraws amounts in accordance with Section 8.2, Contractholder shall pay Company all amounts which are due and payable to Company by the end of the month following receipt of Company's billing statement. SECTION 9: LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION 9.1 Provider of Services. In performing its obligations under this Agreement, Company neither insures nor underwrites any liability of Contractholder under the Plan, but acts only as the provider of the services described in this Agreement. 9.2 Defense. Contractholder shall accept the tender of defense and retain the liability for all Plan benefits claims and all expenses incident to the Plan. Company shall have no duty or obligation to defend against any action or proceeding brought to recover a claim for Plan benefits or expenses incident to the - Plan. Company shall, however, cooperate with Contractholder in the defense of any matters related to Company's services under this Agreement and shall make available to Contractholder and its counsel such documents or information relevant to such action or proceeding as Company may have as a result of its provision of administrative services hereunder. 9.3 Contractholder's Responsibility. Contractholder agrees that it retains responsibility for compliance with HIPAA and other federal and state Laws, and for Plan claims and all expenses incident to the Plan, except for the services and expenses specifically assumed by Company in this Agreement. 9.4 Choice of Counsel. In the event of any litigation involving either Company or Contractholder concerning any matter related to the Plan, including, without limitation, any lawsuit for benefits, each party to this Agreement shall retain sole authority to select legal counsel of its choice. 9.5 Indemnification by Contractholder. In addition to Contractholder's obligations under Section 9.7 and Section 9.8 herein, Contractholder shall indemnify, defend and hold Company harmless from any liability, loss, costs, expenses or damages (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs and extracontractual and punitive damages) incurred by Company, arising out of or resulting from (a) any act or omission of Contractholder, its officers, directors or employees including, without limitation, any failure to comply with any material term or obligation of this Agreement, (b) any act or omission related to the Plan or a Plan claim for which Company has not specifically assumed responsibility or liability under this Agreement, or (c) any act or omission of Company based upon direction or instruction from Contractholder. 9.6 Indemnification by Company. Company shall indemnify, defend and hold Contractholder harmless from any liability, loss, costs, expenses or damages (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs and extracontractual and punitive damages) incurred by Contractholder arising out of or resulting from Company's gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing with respect to the performance of its services under this Agreement. However, Company's obligation under this Section 9.6 shall not extend to liability, loss, costs, expenses or damages (including, without limitations, attorneys' fees, court costs and extracontractual and punitive damages) resulting from acts or omissions of Contractholder, its officers, directors, or employees or acts or omissions of health care providers who furnish services to persons covered under the Plan. Additionally, Company shall not be liable to Contractholder for mistakes of judgment, incorrect determinations of benefits payable, actions taken in good faith, or actions taken based upon eligibility information furnished by Contractholder, or other information furnished to Company by Contractholder, a person covered, or who claims to be covered, under the Plan, or any health care provider. 9.7 Reimbursement of Taxes and Other Charges. Contractholder shall reimburse Company, within thirty (30) days after written demand from Company, for any state premium or similar tax, or any similar benefit or Plan related charge, surcharge or assessment, however denominated, including any penalties and interest payable with respect thereto, assessed against Company on the basis of and/or measured by the amount of Plan benefits administered by Company pursuant to this Agreement. Contractholder shall also be responsible for and reimburse Company for any other expense, fee, or charge, other than those for which Company has specifically assumed responsibility under this Agreement, within thirty (30) days after written demand from Company. 9.8 Liability for Medical Management. Contractholder shall indemnify, defend, and hold Company harmless from any liability, loss, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs), including punitive or extracontractual damages, arising out of or resulting from the performance of medical management services described in Exhibit 4, unless such liability is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to arise out of the gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing of Company in the exercise of its duties under this Agreement. 9.9 Contractholder's Direction. Company shall not be liable for any act or failure to act, in the exercise of its powers and performance of its duties hereunder, if the act or failure to act is at the instruction or direction of Contractholder. 9.10 Tax Liability. Company shall not be responsible for any tax liability that may be imposed upon Contractholder or the Plan. SECTION 10: CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION 10.1 Definitions. For purposes of this Section 10, the following terms have the following meanings. Terms used, but not otherwise defined, in this Section shall have the same meaning as those terms in 45 CFR 160.103, 164.103 and 164.501. (a) "Confidential Business Information" means all written, oral or electronic nonpublic business or financial information that is designated as confidential in accordance with Section 10.2(c) herein, and all copies thereof, and all analyses, reports, data or other written or electronic documents prepared by a Receiving Party or its Representatives based on, or which contains, any Confidential Business Information and identified as confidential pursuant to Section 10.2(c) hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term "Confidential Business Information" shall not include any information that (i) first enters the public domain through means other than direct or indirect disclosure by the Receiving Party in violation of the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) is in possession of the Receiving Party free of any obligation of confidence to the Supplying Party. (b) "Confidential Information" means Confidential Business Information and Confidential Personal Information. (c) "Confidential Personal Information" means all individually identifiable personal information relating to any individual covered under the Plan, including, but not limited to, demographic, medical and financial information, such as name, age, sex, address, social security number, past or present physical and mental health condition and treatment, debt status or history, income and other similar individually identifiable personal information. The term "Confidential Personal Information" includes, but is not limited to, Protected Health Information. (d) "Individual" has the same meaning as the term "individual' in 45 CFR 160.103 and shall include a person who qualifies as a personal representative in accordance with 45 CFR 164.502(g). (e) "Privacy Rule" means the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information at 45 CFR part 160 and part 164, subparts A and E, as may be amended from time to time. (f) "Protected Health Information" has the same meaning as the term "protected health information" in 45 CFR 160.103, limited to the information created or received by Company from or on behalf of Contractholder. (g) "Receiving Party" means the party to this Agreement that receives or has access to Confidential Information. (h) "Representative" means, with respect to any party to this Agreement, all officers, directors, employees, agents, consultants, representatives, subcontractors, professional advisors and affiliates of such party. (i) "Required by Law" has the same meaning as the term "required by law" in 45 CFR 164.103. (j) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services or its designee. (k) "Supplying Party" means the party to this Agreement that provides or makes available Confidential Information to the other party. 10 10.2 Confidential Business Information. (a) Confidentiality Agreement. The Receiving Party agrees to retain all Confidential Business Information in confidence, and shall not use or disclose Confidential Business Information to others except (i) to its directors, officers and employees who are necessary or appropriate to perform the obligations required of the party hereunder, or (ii) if not otherwise prohibited under this Agreement, to the party's Representatives, for purposes related to the party's performance of its obligations hereunder, provided the Representative is first informed of the confidential nature of such information and the obligations set forth herein; and agrees to be bound thereby. The Receiving Party shall be responsible to the Supplying Party for a breach of confidentiality by its Representatives. (b) Return of Confidential Business Information. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Receiving Party shall promptly return or destroy all Confidential Business Information as directed in writing by the Supplying Party. Upon written request of the Supplying Party, the destruction or return of such information shall be confirmed in writing. If the Receiving Party has post -termination obligations under this Agreement that require continued access to the Confidential Information, the Receiving Party's obligation to destroy or return such information shall be extended until such obligations have ended. (c) Identification of Confidential Business Information. All Confidential Business Information in documentary or electronic form shall be identified by a conspicuous "Confidential' stamp or designation on the cover or first page thereof. All Confidential Business Information disclosed orally shall not be considered confidential and subject to the provisions of this Section, unless, within ten (10) days of the disclosure, the Supplying Party summarizes the oral disclosure in writing, sends the summary to the Receiving Party and identifies such summary to be confidential as forth hereunder. 10.3 Confidential Personal Information. (a) Confidentiality, Return. Except for Protected Health Information, all Confidential Personal Information shall be deemed confidential, with or without designation as such by the Supplying Party, and shall be treated in the same manner as Confidential Business Information, described above in Section 10.2(a) and Section 10.2(b). (b) Confidentiality of Protected Health Information. Throughout the term of this Agreement, Company agrees to protect the confidentiality of Protected Health Information as follows: (i) not use or further disclose Protected Health Information other than as permitted or required by this Agreement or as Required by Law; use appropriate safeguards to prevent use or disclosure of Protected Health Information other than as provided for by this Agreement; (iii) report to Contractholder any use or disclosure of Protected Health Information not provided for by this Agreement of which it becomes aware; (iv) mitigate, to the extent practicable, any harmful effect that is known to Company of a use or disclosure of Protected Health Information by Company in violation of the requirements of this Agreement; (v) ensure that any agent, including a subcontractor, to whom it provides Protected Health Information received from, or created or received by Company on behalf of Contractholder, agrees to the same restrictions and conditions set forth in this Section 10.3(b); (vi) at the request of and in a time and manner agreed to by Contractholder and Company, provide access to Protected Health Information in a Designated Record Set to Contractholder or, as directed by Contractholder, to an Individual in order to meet the requirements under 45 CFR 164.524; (vii) make any amendment(s) to Protected Health Information in a Designated Record Set that Contractholder directs or agrees to pursuant to 45 CFR 164.526 at the request of Contractholder or an Individual, and in the same time and manner agreed to by Contractholder and Company; (viii) document such disclosures of Protected Health Information and information related to such disclosures as would be required for Contractholder to respond to a request by an Individual for an accounting of disclosures of Protected Health Information in accordance with 45 CFR 164.528; (ix) provide to Contractholder or an Individual, in a time and manner agreed to by Contractholder and Company, information collected in accordance with subsection 10.3(b)(viii) herein, to permit Contractholder to respond to a request by an Individual for an accounting of disclosures of Protected Health Information in accordance with 45 CFR 164.528; (x) make its internal practices, books and records relating to the use and disclosure of Protected Health Information received from, or created or received by Company on behalf of, Contractholder available to Contractholder, or at the request of Contractholder to the Secretary or their designee, in a time and manner agreed to by Contractholder and Company or a time and manner designated by the Secretary, for purposes of the Secretary determining Contractholder's compliance with the Privacy Rule. (c) Requests for Confidential Communications. Upon receipt from Contractholder of a reasonable written request signed by an Individual to receive communications of Protected Health Information by alternative means or at alternative locations, Company shall accommodate such request. Company shall not be required to accommodate the Individual's request if the request does not clearly state that the 12 disclosure of all or part of the Protected Health Information could endanger the Individual. (d) Restrictions on Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information. Upon receipt from Contractholder of a written request signed by an Individual to restrict uses or disclosures of Protected Health Information about the Individual to carry out treatment, payment activities, or health care operations and disclosures permitted under 45 CFR 164.510(b), Company shall assess its capability to administer the requested restriction, and inform Contractholder if it agrees to the restriction. Company shall not be required to agree to a requested restriction. If a restriction is agreed upon, Company shall not use or disclose Protected Health Information in violation of such restriction. Company shall terminate an agreed -to restriction as directed by Contractholder. An agreed -upon restriction shall not be effective to prevent uses or disclosures permitted or required under 45 CFR 164.502(a)(2)(ii) or 164.512. Company shall document restrictions in accordance with 45 CFR 164.5300). (e) Use or Disclosure of Protected Health Information for Emergency Treatment. Notwithstanding any restriction on Company's use or disclosure of Protected Health Information, if the Individual who requested the restriction is in need of emergency treatment and the restricted Protected Health Information is needed to provide the emergency treatment, Company may use the restricted Protected Health Information, or may disclose such information to a health care provider, to provide such treatment to the Individual. If restricted Protected Health Information is disclosed to a health care provider for emergency treatment under this Section 10.3(e), Company shall request that such health care provider not further use or disclose the information. (f) Privacy -Related Complaints. Upon receipt from Contractholder of a written complaint by an Individual concerning Company's compliance with its obligations described in this Section, Company shall take reasonable actions to investigate the basis for the complaint and attempt to resolve the complaint. Company shall not be required to incur any legal or other expense in investigating or attempting to resolve a complaint. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Company shall refer to Contractholder for handling any complaint or other matter that Company determines involves: (a) a threat of lawsuit or other legal or regulatory action, (b) any complaint involving Protected Health Information that is not in a Designated Record Set maintained by Company, or (c) any complaint involving acts or omissions of a person other than Company. Company shall document all complaints received, and their disposition, if any, in accordance with the requirements of 45 CFR 164.5300). (g) Sample Notice. Company shall provide Contractholder with a sample notice of privacy practices required by 45 CFR 164.520. Company does not represent or warrant that the notice complies with the requirements of the Privacy Rule or any other law or regulation. 13 (h) Use or Disclosure of Protected Health Information. Except as otherwise limited in this Agreement, Company may: (i) use or disclose Protected Health Information to perform functions, activities, or services for, or on behalf of, Contractholder as specified in this Agreement, if such use or disclosure would not violate the Privacy Rule if done by Contractholder; (ii) use or disclose Protected Health Information for the proper management and administration of Company or to carry out its legal responsibilities, including, without limitation, disclosure of Protected Health Information to a public health authority as required `by state or federal law; (iii) use or disclose Protected Health Information for the proper management and administration of Company, provided that the uses and disclosures are Required by Law, or Company obtains reasonable assurances from the entity or person to whom the information is disclosed that it will remain confidential and be used or disclosed only as Required by Law or for the purpose for which it was disclosed to the entity or person, and the entity or person notifies Company of any instances of which it is aware in which the confidentiality of the Protected Health Information has been breached; (iv) use Protected Health Information to provide Data Aggregation services to Contractholder as permitted by 45 CFR 164.504(e)(2)(i)(B); (v) use Protected Health Information to report violations of law to appropriate Federal and State authorities, consistent with 45 CFR 164.5020)(1); (vi) disclose Protected Health Information relating to payment under, health care operations of, or other matters pertaining to the Plan to any employee or other person or entity described in subsection 10.3(i)(iii) herein. (i) Obligations of Contractholder. (i) Contractholder certifies that it has amended its Plan documents to incorporate the provisions described in 45 CFR 164.504(f)(2) and that it shall comply with such provisions; (ii) Contractholder shall provide Company with a copy of the notice of privacy practices for Protected Health Information that Contractholder is required to furnish to Individuals in accordance with 45 CFR 164.520. Company shall not be required to comply with any duties of Contractholder or Company described in such notice that are not described in this Agreement unless Company agrees in writing to such duties. Any such agreement shall be documented in a written amendment to this Agreement. 14 (iii) Contractholder shall furnish Company with the names of those employees or classes of employees, other persons under the control of Contractholder or other persons or entities who are authorized to receive Protected Health Information on behalf of the Plan from Company. Additionally, Contractholder authorizes Company to disclose Protected Health Information to persons or entities as Required by Law or as directed by Contractholder. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, Contractholder shall indemnify, defend and hold Company harmless for any liabilities, claims, demands, suits, losses, damages, costs, obligations and expenses, including, without limitation, attorneys' fees, court costs and punitive or similar damages, incurred by Company which result from Company's disclosure of Protected Health Information to any such employees or other persons or entities or further disclosure of Protected Health Information by any such employees or other persons or entities. (iv) Contractholder shall not request Company to use or disclose Protected Health Information in any manner that would not be permissible under the Privacy Rule if done by Contractholder; (v) Contractholder shall notify Company of any limitation(s) in its notice of privacy practices of Contractholder in accordance with 45 CFR 164.520, to the extent that such limitation may affect Company's use or disclosure of Protected Health Information; (vi) Contractholder shall notify Company of any changes in, or revocation of, permission by an Individual . to use or disclose Protected Health Information, to the extent that such changes may affect Company's use or disclosure of Protected Health Information; (vii) Contractholder shall notify Company of any restriction to the use or disclosure of Protected Health Information that Contractholder has agreed to in accordance with 45 CFR 164.522, to the extent that such restriction may affect Company's use or disclosure of Protected Health Information. 10.4 Termination. (a) Termination for Violation of Confidential Personal Information Provisions. In addition to any other termination provisions contained in this Agreement, upon either party's knowledge of a material breach by the other party of a term of Section 10.3, the nonbreaching party shall either: (i) provide an opportunity for the breaching party to cure the breach or end the violation and terminate this Agreement if the breaching party does not cure the breach or end the violation within the time specified by the nonbreaching party; (ii) immediately terminate this Agreement if the breaching party has materially breached a term of this Section and cure is not possible; or 15 (iii) if neither termination nor cure is feasible, with respect to a material breach by Company, Contractholder shall report the violation to the Secretary. (b) Termination for Violation of Confidential Business Information Provisions. Notwithstanding Section 14 herein, the parties agree that the Supplying Party may terminate this Agreement effective immediately upon written notice to the Receiving Party if the Receiving Party has violated the terms of Section 10.2. (c) Effect of Termination. Upon termination of this Agreement, for any reason, Company shall promptly return or destroy all Protected Health Information as directed by Contractholder and retain no copies. This provision shall also apply to Protected Health Information that is in the possession of subcontractors or agents of Company. In the event that Company determines that returning or destroying the Protected Health Information is not feasible, Company shall provide to Contractholder notification of the conditions that make the return or destruction not feasible. If return or destruction is not feasible, Company shall extend the protections of this Agreement to the Protected Health Information and limit further uses and disclosures of the Protected Health Information to those purposes that make the return or destruction not feasible, for so long as Company maintains the Protected Health Information. 10.5 Amendments. The parties agree to take such action as is necessary to amend this Agreement from time to time as is necessary for Contractholder to comply with the requirements of the Privacy Rule and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, Public Law 104-191. 10.6 Disclosures Required by Law or a Governmental Authority. If a party is required to disclose Confidential Business Information in response to legal process or a Governmental Authority, the party against whom disclosure is sought shall immediately notify the other party and, upon request, cooperate with the other party in connection with obtaining a protective order. The party against whom disclosure is sought shall furnish only that portion of the Confidential Business Information which it is legally required to disclose and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that confidential treatment shall be accorded such Confidential Business Information. 10.7 Equitable Relief. The Receiving Party acknowledges the Confidential Information it receives is confidential and/or proprietary to the Supplying Party, that disclosure thereof could be seriously harmful to the business prospects of the Supplying Party, that the Supplying Party may not have adequate remedies at law for a breach of the confidentiality obligations hereunder and that money damages may be difficult or impossible to determine. Accordingly, each party agrees, in addition to all other remedies available at law, that an aggrieved party is entitled to (a) seek and obtain equitable relief, including injunctive relief, and (b) reimbursement of all attorneys' fees and court costs. 10.8 Material Obligation/Survival. Each obligation contained in this Agreement pertaining to the confidentiality, use or disclosure of Confidential Information is deemed to be a 16 material obligation of the parties hereunder and shall survive the termination of this Agreement. SECTION 11: INSPECTION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS 11.1 Maintenance of Records. Contractholder shall keep regular and accurate records of all transactions related to this Agreement during the term of this Agreement and for at least two (2) years thereafter. 11.2 Access to Records. During the term of this Agreement and for two (2) years thereafter, subject to the provisions of Section 10, Company or its representative shall have the right, during normal business hours and with at least seven (7) days' advance written notice, to inspect, audit and make copies from the books and records of Contractholder related to this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Plan's governing documents. 11.3 Audit. Subject to the provisions of Section 10, Contractholder may audit Company compliance with its obligations under this Agreement, and Company shall supply Contractholder with reasonable access to information required or maintained by Company in performing services under this Agreement. Company shall be required to supply only such information which is in its possession and which is reasonably necessary for Contractholder to administer the Plan, provided that such disclosure is not prohibited by any third -party contracts to which Company is a signatory or any requirements of Law. Contractholder hereby represents that, to the extent any disclosed information contains Confidential Personal Information about a Participant, the Participant has authorized Contractholder or Contractholder otherwise has the legal authority to have access to such information. Contractholder shall give Company at least seven (7) days' advance written notice of its intent to perform such an audit and its need for such information and shall represent to Company that the information that shall be disclosed therein is reasonably necessary for the administration of the Plan. All audits and information disclosures shall occur at a reasonable time and place at Contractholder's expense. Contractholder shall reimburse Company for costs incurred by Company with respect to any audits. Contractholder may designate a representative acceptable to Company to conduct or participate in the audit, or to receive access to such information, provided that Contractholder and the representative enter into a written agreement with Company under which the representative agrees to use any disclosed information solely for purposes of administering the Plan, to keep such information confidential and not to disclose the information to any other entity or person. SECTION 12: MODIFICATION OF THIS AGREEMENT 12.1 Revisions. Company shall have the right to revise this Agreement, including, without limitation, any administration fee or other fee or payment described in Exhibit 3: (a) on any anniversary of the Effective Date, provided at least thirty (30) days' advance written notice has been given by Company; 17 (b) on the date of any modification or amendment of the Plan or Company's administrative duties; (c) on or after the date the number of participants covered under the Plan increases or decreases by 10% or 100 participants, whichever number is less; (d) on the date this Agreement has terminated in the event Company continues to process claims in accordance with Section 14.5 herein; (e) on the date of any merger or consolidation, or acquisition or divestiture (through stock, assets or exchange) of all or part of a', business enterprise affecting Contractholder's employee population; (f) on or after the date on which any Law is enacted, issued, amended, or enforced that, in the sole discretion of Company, materially increases Company's potential or actual liability arising out of or related to Company's services or duties hereunder, or (g) on or after the date on which the total number of Checks issued by Company exceeds 5,261 for Medical and 1,882 for Dental. 12.2 Modification of Agreement. Any modification of this Agreement, including, without limitation, any administration fee, pursuant to this Section 12 shall be made by written notice to Contractholder by Company. If Contractholder pays such revised administration fee or fails to object to any other modification in writing within fifteen (15) Business Days of receipt of notice, this Agreement shall be deemed modified to reflect the modification as communicated by Company. SECTION 13:MODIFICATION OF PLAN Any proposed modification or amendment of the Plan shall be communicated in writing by Contractholder to Company. Implementation of any modification or amendment shall be mutually agreed upon by Contractholder and Company and shall be evidenced by an amendment to this Agreement. The term "Plan" as used in this Agreement shall include each such modification or amendment as of the implementation date agreed upon by the parties. SECTION 14: TERM AND TERMINATION 14.1 Initial Term. This Agreement shall take effect on the Effective Date and shall remain in effect for a period of one (1) year unless terminated earlier as provided in this Section 14. 14.2 Renewal of Agreement. This Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one (1) year periods, unless either Company or Contractholder gives to the other party at least sixty (60) days' advance written notice of its intention to terminate at the end of the initial term or the current renewal term, or unless this Agreement is otherwise terminated as provided in this Section 14. 14.3 Termination. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earliest of the following dates: 18 (a) the date specified in a written notice from one party to the other party of its intention to terminate, without cause, provided notice is given at least sixty (60) days prior to the specified date; (b) the date specified in a written notice from one party to the other party that the other party has breached any of its material obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, Contractholder's obligation to pay administration fees to Company or to reimburse Company for any fees, expenses, charges, taxes, assessments, or surcharges in accordance with this Agreement; (c) the date on which the Plan terminates; (d) at the option of Company, the date upon which Company notifies Contractholder that this Agreement shall terminate due to: (i) negligence, fraud or embezzlement on the part of Contractholder, its employees or agents as deemed to have occurred in Company's judgment; (ii) sale of controlling interest in Contractholder, which has not received at least thirty (30) days' advance written approval of Company; (iii) Contractholder's failure to maintain in the Plan Benefit Account sufficient funds to pay claims under the Plan; (iv) Contractholder's failure to accept a change in this Agreement, including, without limitation, a change to the administration fees payable hereunder; (v) Contractholder's failure to pay Company any monthly administration fee or other payment described in this Agreement by the end of the month in which the fee or payment is due; or (vi) Contractholder's failure to abide by the terms of this Agreement; or (e) any other date mutually agreeable to Contractholder and Company. 14.4 Termination of Claims Processing. Upon termination of this Agreement, Company shall immediately cease the processing of all Plan claims (except for claims described in Section 14.5 herein) and the performance of all other services hereunder (except as otherwise provided in this Agreement). 14.5 Claims Processing after Termination. Company shall continue to process Plan claims which were incurred prior to termination in accordance with this Agreement for a period of twelve (12) months following termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 14.3(a) or Section 14.3(f) herein, if (a) at least ten (10) days prior to termination Contractholder notifies Company in writing that it wishes Company to continue such services and (b) Contractholder pays Company, on or before the date of termination of this Agreement, a lump sum claim processing fee equal to the greater of 19 (a) 25% of the annualized administration fees described in Section 1 of Exhibit 3 in effect immediately prior to the date of termination, calculated by taking the average total monthly administration fees billed for the three (3) month period preceding the termination date multiplied by 12, and then multiplying this sum by .25; or (b) 25% of the annualized renewal administration fees projected by Company for the next twelve (12) month period, calculated by taking the total projected monthly renewal administration fees multiplied by 12, and then multiplying this sum by .25. In the event Company continues to process Plan claims in accordance with this Section 14.5, all other terms and conditions of this Agreement which would have been applicable if this Agreement continued to be in effect shall continue to apply. 14.6 Return of Claim Files. Contractholder may, within three (3) years after termination of this Agreement, request in writing that Company send Contractholder any existing Plan claim files that Company holds in hard -copy form or stores electronically on magnetic tape. Company shall charge Contractholder: (a) $1,000.00 for each magnetic tape which is provided by Company to Contractholder in Company's standard format for each type of Plan coverage; plus (b) $115.00 an hour for Company's cost of programming and $115.00 an hour for computer time for providing Plan claim records; plus (c) a charge, determined by Company, for the retrieval of hard copy documents from archival records as may be requested by Contractholder. 14.7 Remedies. If either party terminates this Agreement due to the other party's breach of its material obligations under this Agreement, the non -breaching party may pursue any other rights or remedies available to it at law or in equity. 14.8 Fraud Identification and Investigation Services after Termination of Agreement. In the event of termination of this Agreement or the modification of this Agreement resulting in the termination of any or all of the services described in Section 6, Company shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to perform any or all of the services described in Section 6 with respect to matters which arose before the date of termination. In such event, the fee and expense reimbursement described in Section 2 of Exhibit 3 shall continue to apply, notwithstanding that the Agreement has terminated. In the event Company continues to provide such services, all other terms and conditions of this Agreement which would have been applicable if this Agreement continued to be in effect shall continue to apply. 14.9 Prorated Premium/Fees: If, in addition to this Agreement, the Contractholder has any other service agreement ("Service Agreement"), insurance policy ("Policy") or group health maintenance organization contract ("Contract") with the Company or any affiliate of the Company, and premium/feenot paid in full during the grace period for any Policy 20 or Contract or an administration fee or other payment described in this Agreement or a Service Agreement is not paid by the required due date, the total amount of premium and Fees paid for this Agreement and each Policy, Contract and Service Agreement during the month in which the premium/fee is not paid in full ("the Delinquent Month")will be allocated to this Agreement and each Policy, Contract and Service Agreement on a pro- rata basis. The amount of premium and Fees allocated to this Agreement and each Policy, Contract, and Service Agreement will be determined by multiplying (a) the amount of Fees due for this Agreement and each Service Agreement during the Delinquent Month and the amount of premium due for each Policy and Contract during the Delinquent Month by (b) the percentage equal to (i) the total amount of premium and Fees paid for this Agreement and each Policy, Contract and Service Agreement during the Delinquent Month divided by (ii) the total amount of premium and Fees due for this Agreement and each Policy, Contract and Service Agreement during the Delinquent Month. The Contractholder and the Company acknowledge and agree that the method of allocating premium and Fees described in this provision will result in: (a) the full amount of Fees not being paid for this Agreement and each Service Agreement by the required due date and (b) the full amount of premium not being paid for each Policy and Contract during the grace period for each Policy and Contract. Accordingly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any Policy, Contract or Service Agreement, the following will occur: 1. Any Policy or Contract will automatically terminate on the date described in the Policy or Contract for non-payment of premium; and 2. This Agreement and any Service Agreement will automatically terminate at the end of the Delinquent Month SECTION 15: GENERAL PROVISIONS 15.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by applicable federal law and, to the extent that state law applies, this Agreement shall be governed by the Laws of the State of Nebraska, without regard to that State's principles of conflicts of law. Should any provision of this Agreement require judicial interpretation, the parties agree and stipulate that the court interpreting or considering this Agreement shall not apply any presumption that the terms of this Agreement shall be more strictly construed against a party who itself or through its agents prepared this Agreement. The parties acknowledge that all parties hereto have participated in the preparation of this Agreement, either through drafting or review, and that each party has had full opportunity to consult legal counsel of choice before execution of this Agreement. 15.2 Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is for the benefit of Contractholder and Company and not for any other person or entity. 21 15.3 Headings. The headings of the various sections and subsections of this Agreement are inserted merely for convenience and do not, expressly or by implication, limit or define or extend the specific terms of the section or subsection so designated. 15.4 Conformance. Any terms or conditions of this Agreement that violate, conflict with or do not comply with any applicable Law shall be amended to conform to such Law. The parties hereto shall immediately amend this Agreement as required by applicable Law. 15.5 No Waiver. Failure of either party to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not operate to waive or modify such provision or render such provision unenforceable. 15.6 No Change. No modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be valid unless approved in writing by an officer of Company. 15.7 No Assignment. Services to be provided by Company under this Agreement may be performed in whole or in part by Company, by any of its affiliates, or by any subcontractor selected by it or by such affiliates. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, neither party may assign or delegate any of the rights and obligations hereunder to any third party without the prior written consent of an officer of the other party. 15.8 Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in effect. 15.9 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the Recitals, the Exhibits, and any amendments to the Agreement or the Exhibits, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties. All prior agreements, whether oral or written, between Company and Contractholder relating to the subject matter of this Agreement are hereby declared null and void. 15.10 Independent Contractor. The only relationship between Contractholder and Company is the contractual relationship established by this Agreement. Company is an independent contractor and not an employee of Contractholder. None of the terms of this Agreement shall be construed as creating an employer -employee relationship. Company's authority shall be limited to that which is expressly stated in this Agreement. 15.11 Force Majeure. Company shall not be liable for any failure to meet any of the obligations or provide any of the services specified or required under this Agreement where such failure to perform is due to any contingency beyond the reasonable control of Company, its employees, officers, or directors. Such contingencies include, without limitation, acts of God, fires, wars, accidents, and labor disputes or shortages. 15.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and said counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument. 15.13 Notice. Any notice required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and personally sent by Certified Mail with all postage prepaid or by express mail delivery organization or overnight carrier or by facsimile upon actual receipt, addressed as set 22 forth below or to such other address as either party may hereafter notify the other party in writing. To Contractholder: THE CITY OF VERNON 4305 Santa Fe Ave. Vernon, CA 90058 ATTN: Joan Francone Facsimile:323-583-8811 To Company: United of Omaha Life Insurance Company Mutual of Omaha Plaza Omaha, NE 68175 Facsimile: (402) 351-2553 15.14 Interest. Interest will accrue on any amount due under this Agreement, which has not been paid within thirty (30) days of receipt of written demand for such amount, at the rate of one (1) percent per month, or the highest rate permitted by law, whichever is lower. 15.15 Survival. Termination of this Agreement shall not terminate the rights or liabilities of either party arising prior to termination, including, without limitation, any rights or liabilities under Section 9. This Agreement has been duly executed in duplicate by the parties as of the dates set forth below. THE CITY OF VERNON By: Typed Name: Title: Date: UNITED OF OMAHA LIFE INSURANCE CONWANY By: r C;"-� W;�� Typed Name: CID V'y Cl-ld^ Title: VP ar_�lik ,L Date: a - �2b -0 23 EXHIBIT 1 CLAIMS SERVICES Claims ProcessinE 1. Claims Handling Facilities. Company shall provide claims handling administration facilities, furnish personnel and establish procedures, including claim files and systems, for processing Plan claims. 2. Eligibility. Company shall determine claimant eligibility for Plan coverage based upon eligibility and enrollment information provided to Company by Contractholder. 3. Claims Processing. Company shall process claims for benefits under the Plan which are incurred by a Participant on or after the Effective Date, but before the date of termination of this Agreement. Unless continued pursuant to Section 14.5 of this Agreement, or as provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, all claims processing and other services of Company under this Agreement shall cease as of the date of termination of this Agreement, regardless of the date the claims were incurred. 4. Benefit Determination. Provided that claims for Plan benefits are submitted to Company in an electronic or paper form that is satisfactory to Company, Company shall determine whether a benefit is payable under the Plan for claims submitted to Company by Participants or health care providers. 5. Determination to Pay Benefits. If it is determined that a benefit is payable, Company shall issue a Check for the benefit payment to the appropriate payee and send an explanation of benefits or payment form to the payee. Company shall prepare claim payments on Plan Benefit Account Checks. 6. Determination to Deny Benefits. If Company determines that all or a part of the benefit is not payable under the Plan, Company shall notify the claimant of the denial and of the claimant's right to appeal the denial. The notification shall be designed to comply with ERISA requirements for denial notices. 7. Claim Forms and Checks. Company shall print and pay the cost of all necessary Plan claim forms and Plan Benefit Account Checks. 8. Phone Number. Company shall make available a toll -free customer service telephone number for Plan claimants. 9. Audits. Company shall perform a periodic audit of claims processing activities in a manner agreed to by Company and Contractholder to determine the quality of claims administration. 10. Referrals to Contractholder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Exhibit, Company shall refer to an appropriate named fiduciary designated by Contractholder, for the purpose of allowing such party to review and make benefits and appeals decisions, 01 any class of claims specified in writing by Contractholder or any claim or other matter that Company determines involves: (a) a threat of lawsuit or other legal or regulatory action, (b) a threat of disclosure to the media, (c) the exercise of discretion in making a benefits decision, or (d) any request for an exception to the terms of the Plan. An appropriate named fiduciary designated by Contractholder shall have the discretion, authority, and responsibility to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan, and to make factual decisions and final and binding determinations concerning availability of Plan benefits. 11. Use of Discounted Charge. Company shall calculate copayments (based on percentage of charges) or coinsurance, deductibles, benefit maximums, and claims under the Plan based on the Discounted Charge. Company shall be entitled to retain those amounts excluded from the definition of Discounted Charge. However, Company has estimated such amounts and has taken them into consideration in setting the fees charged to provide services under this Agreement. Claims Appeals 1. Company's Review. If Company denies a Plan benefit claim, Company shall notify the claimant in accordance with the Plan requirements, including, without limitation, a description of the Plan's review or appeal procedure, including applicable time limits. 2. First Level Appeal. If, after review of an initial benefits denial appeal, Company determines that the benefit is available or is not available under the Plan, Company shall notify the claimant of the appeal decision and of the claimant's right to a second level appeal. 3. Second Level Appeal. All final decisions for second level appeals will be made by an appropriate named fiduciary designated by Contractholder for the purpose of allowing such party to perform a full and fair review of the claim and the adverse benefit determination. If a second level appeal request is received by Company, Company shall review the appeal and make a recommendation as to whether the benefit is available or is not available under the Plan. Company shall communicate its recommendation to Contractholder and provide to Contractholder all documentation necessary to allow the appropriate named fiduciary to perform its review. Contractholder shall communicate the appropriate named fiduciary's appeal decision to Company. Promptly after receipt of such information from Contractholder, Company shall notify the claimant of the second level appeal decision. 4. Compliance with Plan. All appeals and notices shall be handled in accordance with the requirements of the Plan. 5. Disposition of Claims. An appropriate named fiduciary designated by Contractholder shall make all final decisions on appeals and Plan claims referred by Company and advise Company as to their disposition. 6. Referrals to Contractholder. In no event will Company make any appeal decision in which the exercise of discretion would be involved. In such cases, Company will refer t-2 such claims to an appropriate named fiduciary designated by Contractholder for the purpose of allowing such party to make the appeals decision. t-3 EXHIBIT 2 CONTRACTHOLDER'S RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Contractholder shall ensure that the Plan, including, without limitation, any summary plan description or benefit certificatelbooklet furnished to Participants, accurately and completely describes the claim appeal process. 2. Contractholder shall provide Company with five (5) calendar days' prior notice of a Participant's ineligibility for coverage under the Plan. Contractholder agrees that, in the event Company is not given such prior notice of a Participant's ineligibility, Contractholder shall fund the claims of such person if Company authorized the payment of claims during this period, even if such person is no longer eligible for Plan benefits during this period. 3. Contractholder shall: (a) In accordance with the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA"), furnish certificates of creditable coverage to individuals who are or have been covered under the Plan, or to an entity requesting the certificate on behalf of such an individual; (b) Promptly inform Company of all claims, causes of actions, threats of litigation or complaints involving Contractholder's responsibilities under this Section 3; (c) Retain accurate records of all transactions related to Contractholder's responsibilities described in this Section 3, including, without limitation, correspondence with persons regarding certificates of creditable coverage and copies or other records of certificates that have been provided to individuals. Contractholder agrees that Company has the right to review and obtain copies of these records; (d) Require any party to whom Contractholder delegates or subcontracts the responsibilities for providing certificates of creditable coverage to comply with all of the terms and conditions described in this Section 3 that apply to Contractholder. Contractholder acknowledges and agrees that any such delegation or subcontract shall not relieve Contractholder of its obligations under HIPAA and the terms of this Section 3; (e) Promptly provide Company with necessary information so that Company can make other arrangements to furnish certificates of creditable coverage in the event Company determines that Contractholder is not furnishing certificates of creditable coverage in accordance with the terms of this Section 3. If Company makes such other arrangements, Contractholder shall pay Company a reasonable fee for this service determined by Company. In addition to such fee, Contractholder shall reimburse Company for all costs incurred by Company in providing or arranging for certificates of creditable coverage to be furnished. 2-1 4. Contractholder agrees: (a) as long as this Agreement is in force, it shall not negotiate or arrange or contract in any way for rebates from any manufacturer for prescription drug services dispensed to persons covered under the Plan in connection with and for the term covered by this Agreement; (b) not to disclose confidential and proprietary information of Express Scripts, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "ESP') except to its employees or agents as necessary to fulfill its obligations and the purposes of this Agreement, or as required by law; (c) to grant ESI permission to use drug and related data of persons covered under the Plan in a non -identifiable form for research, analysis and cost comparison purposes, if confidentiality of persons covered under the Plan is thereby maintained in accordance with applicable laws; (d) to use only those written materials for persons covered under the Plan prepared by Company to describe ESI and its services. Contractholder agrees that its Plan shall use the drug price file and maximum allowable cost list of ESI; (e) that ESI shall negotiate with retail pharmacies regarding reimbursement rates for prescription drugs and related services for pharmacies participating in its networks; and (f) that ESI receives income from the provision of data and related services to drug manufacturers, including those participating in the ESI Manufacturer Rebate Program, that shall be retained by ESI, and such income may be based partly on the volume of covered prescription drugs provided to persons covered under the Plan. 5. If conversion coverage is available under the Plan, Contractholder shall be solely responsible for arranging and paying for any such conversion coverage. Company shall have no responsibility and will not arrange, offer or provide any such conversion coverage. 6. Contractholder agrees that it shall include the following provisions in the summary plan description distributed to Participants: United of Omaha Life Insurance Company has contractual arrangements with Preferred Providers and other health care providers, provider networks, pharmacy benefit managers, and other vendors of health care services and supplies ("Providers"). In accordance with these contractual arrangements, certain Providers have agreed to Discounted Charges. A "Discounted Charge" is the amount that a Provider has agreed to accept as payment in full for covered health care services or supplies. A "Discounted Charge" does not include pharmaceutical rebates or any other reductions, fees or credits a Provider may periodically give United. United will retain those amounts that are not "Discounted W Charges However United has estimated the amount of such rebates, reductions, fees and credits and have taken those into consideration in setting the premium charge to provide services for this plan. Any deductible, copayment (based upon percentage of charge), coinsurance and benefit maximums are described in this Schedule will be determined based on the Discounted Charge. 7. Contractholder is responsible for the expense of investigation and collection of any Subrogation recoveries, including, without limitation, legal fees, court costs, and costs of third parties retained by Contractholder to pursue Subrogation. 2-3 EXHIBIT 3 COMPENSATION AND PAYMENTS Administration Fees. Contractholder shall pay Company by the end of the month following receipt of Company's monthly billing statement a monthly administration fee equal to: (a) $44.98 for each employee and retiree each month covered under the medical plan during the period l/1/04 to 1/l/05. This fee is the total of the following sub fees: 1. $39.34 for claims administration; 2. $3.09 for Managed Care Network access; 3. $2.55 for the Medical Management Services; (b) $9.38 for each employee and retiree each month covered under the dental plan during the period 1/1/04 to 111105. 2. Fees for Fraud Services. Contractholder shall be responsible for and pay to Company the following additional fees and expense reimbursement for Company's fraud identification and investigation services provided in accordance with this Agreement: To the extent Company (or any affiliate) incurs expenses for use of investigative firms, outside counsel, collection firms or other parties (including, without limitation, travel expenses of any such parties consisting of charges for airfare, mileage and car rental, lodging and meals) relating to any of the services described in Section 6 of this Agreement, Company shall be entitled to reimbursement of such expenses paid by Company. (a) To the extent the employees of Company (or any affiliate) directly provide any of the services described in Section 6 of this Agreement, Company shall be entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses of such employees (consisting of charges for airfare, mileage and car rental, lodging and meals) and payment of a per hour fee based upon Company's most current internal business resource billing rate. (b) Company shall either (i) withdraw any amount described in Section 2(a) or Section 2(b) from the Plan Benefit Account, or (ii) deduct such amount from any recoveries. In the event the services relate to Contractholder and other plans that are or have been administered or insured by Company (or any affiliate), Company shall either (i) withdraw from the Plan Benefit Account Contractholder's allocable share of such expenses and fees as determined by Company, or (ii) deduct said amount from any recoveries; and (c) In addition to the reimbursement of expenses and fee payments described in Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) herein: 3-1 (i) To the extent Company is successful in collecting any monies from a third party or health care provider in accordance with Section 6 of this Agreement, Company shall either (1) withdraw from the Plan Benefit Account and retain an amount equal to the lesser of (A) 5% of the recovery (after deduction of Company's fees and expenses), or (B) $50,000; or (2) deduct said amount from any recoveries; and 00 To the extent Company is successful in preventing the payment of any Plan claims in accordance with Section 6 of this Agreement, Company shall withdraw from the Plan Benefit Account and retain an amount equal to the lesser of (1) 5% of the amount of such claims submitted to Company but not paid due to suspected fraudulent, questionable, and/or abusive claim information, or (2) $50,000. (e) To the extent any recovery described in Section 6 of this Agreement relates to the Plan and other plans that are or have been administered by Company (or any affiliate), Company shall either (i) withdraw from the Plan Benefit Account and retain an amount equal to the lesser of (1) 5% of Contractholder's allocable share of the recovery as determined by Company (after deduction of Company's expenses and fees as determined by Company or (2) $50,000; or (ii) deduct said amount from the recoveries. 3. Other Fees and Payments. Contractholder shall be responsible for and pay to Company the following fees and payments: (a) Contractholder shall reimburse Company for any sales or use taxes, or any similar benefit or Plan -related charge, surcharge or assessment, however denominated, which may be imposed by any Governmental Authority upon the Plan or Contractholder. Company may withdraw from the Plan Benefit Account any such amounts that are due to Company. (b) Contractholder shall reimburse Company for costs of Plan benefit booklets and id cards in excess of $900 in accordance with Section 2 of Exhibit 5. (c) As compensation for its PNS service described in Section 3 of Exhibit 5, Contractholder ,shall pay Company a fee equal to 35% of the amount of any Savings achieved through negotiations with a health care provider in accordance with Section 3 of Exhibit 5 during each month. Contractholder authorizes Company to collect this fee by drawing the amount of the fee from the Plan Benefit Account. For purposes of this provision, the term "Savings" means the difference between the submitted charges and the adjusted bill amount based upon the negotiated settlement with the provider (d) As compensation for its OPRS service described in Section 4 of Exhibit 5, Contractholder shall pay Company 35% of the savings, if any, achieved for the performance of OPRS. Savings shall be equal to the difference between the billed charges and the adjusted bill amount based on the negotiated settlement with the 3-2 provider. Company shall withdraw the fee from Contractholder's Plan Benefit Account on a monthly basis for this service. (e) As compensation for its HBAS service described in Section 5 of Exhibit 5, Contractholder shall pay Company 35% of the savings, if any, achieved for the performance of HBAS. Savings shall be equal to the amount of any refund received by Company or its subcontractor from the hospital in accordance with the hospital's signed agreement to adjust the billed charges identified in the audit. Company shall withdraw the fee from Contractholder's Plan Benefit Account on a monthly basis for this service. (f) As compensation for its services described in Section 6 of Exhibit 5, Contractholder shall pay Company 35% of any credit balance recovered by Company or its subcontractors as a result of the performance of Company's service. Company shall withdraw the fee from the Contractholder's Plan Benefit Account on a monthly basis for this service. (g) Company has arranged for pharmacy benefit management services to be provided by Express Scripts, Inc. ("ESI"). As compensation for such services, Contractholder agrees that Company shall be entitled to 5% of the monthly savings, if any, achieved for the performance of pharmacy benefit management services. Savings shall be equal to the difference between: (i) the average wholesale price of a particular drug or supply dispensed by a pharmacy as determined in accordance with Company's contract with ESI, and (ii) the Discounted Charge for the same drug or supply determined in accordance with Company's contract with ESL Company will withdraw the amount of the fee from the Plan Benefit Account each month for savings achieved during the previous month. (h) Contractholder shall pay to Company any other fee or charge described in the Agreement. 4. Amounts Retained by Company. Company will retain all amounts excluded from the definition of Discounted Charge. Company has taken those amounts into consideration in setting the foregoing compensation and payment terms. 3-3 EXHIBIT 4 MEDICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES 1. Medical Management Administration. Company shall: (a) Provide a utilization management program consisting of- (i) Preadmission and Admission Review - Reviewing the medical necessity and/or appropriateness of proposed hospitalizations prior thereto. (ii) Concurrent Review - Monitoring of the medical necessity and/or appropriateness of an ongoing hospital stay. (iii) Outpatient Surgical Review - Reviewing the medical necessity and/or appropriateness of certain proposed outpatient surgical procedures. (iv) Mental Health And Chemical Dependency Review Inpatient - Preadmission, admission and concurrent review of the medical necessity and/or appropriateness of all proposed hospitalization for psychiatric or chemical dependency treatment. Outpatient - Review of the medical necessity and/or appropriateness of all proposed outpatient psychiatric or chemical dependency treatment plans. (v) Maternity Management - A service designed to promote healthy pregnancies through early prenatal care, education, early identification of high risk factors and, if necessary; early Case Management. (vi) Specialized Services and Supplies Review - Reviewing the medical necessity of certain proposed services and supplies, including the review of Specialty Drugs and Medicines as described in the Plan. (b) Design an explanation of the utilization management program for persons covered under the Plan. (c) If Company determines that the health care item or service being reviewed pursuant to utilization management is medically necessary or appropriate under the terms of the Plan, then Company shall authorize payment of Plan benefits with respect to that item or service, to the extent that the item or service and the Participant are covered by the Plan. If Company determines that the item or service is not medically necessary or appropriate under the terms of the Plan, Company shall deny authorization of payment of Plan benefits with respect to such item or service. Company shall notify the Participant of the denial and of the Participant's right to appeal the denial. This notification shall comply with the terms of the Plan. 4-1 (d) Own all records (other than records which belong to a subcontractor) arising out of the administration of services under this Exhibit. 2. Independent Contractor. Company shall perform its services hereunder as an independent contractor and assumes no authority to bind Contractholder to any of the utilization management recommendations, assessments or review opinions. These recommendations, assessments and opinions are available to assist in making claims decisions under the Plan, but are not intended to be a substitute for actual claims decisions. Claims decisions are subject to all applicable provisions of the Plan. 3. Explanation of Services. Contractholder shall distribute Company's explanation of its services herein to employees covered under the Plan. 4. Subcontractors. Contractholder acknowledges and agrees that Company does not assume any liability for the negligent, fraudulent, dishonest or other acts or omissions of any subcontractor providing medical management services. 5. Purpose of Utilization Management. The utilization management program described herein is designed to help determine if certain health care services may be recommended for certification as medically necessary under the terms of the Plan. Company shall use the results of the utilization management program to assist in making claims decisions under the Plan. The utilization management program is not intended to be a substitute for actual claims decisions. Claims decisions are subject to all applicable provisions of the Plan. The decision or determination to obtain or deliver any health care services is always made only by the patient (and his or her parent or guardian, if appropriate) and/or his or her health care provider. 6. Termination. Termination of this Agreement or the performance of Company's utilization management services shall not affect those reviews of persons covered under the Plan which are in progress on or before the effective date of termination unless Company terminates its services because an agreement between Company and a subcontractor terminates, or a subcontractor is otherwise unable, unwilling or fails to provide utilization management in accordance with this Agreement. When Company's services terminate for this reason, Company shall use its best efforts to arrange for completion of services in progress on or before the effective date of termination of the services hereunder. No review activities shall be initiated after termination of services hereunder, unless Company agrees in writing to continue the services or to arrange for the provision of such services by another party or parties. 7. Change in Services. The utilization management services described herein may be changed or modified at any time, at the option of Company, to conform to any change or modification to this Agreement or to an agreement between the Company and a subcontractor which affects the obligation of the parties hereunder. Company agrees to give Contractholder written notice of any such changes or modifications to its agreement with a subcontractor or of any changes in the identity of a subcontractor. 4-2 EXHIBIT 5 OTHER SERVICES On behalf of Contractholder, Company shall pay Contractholder's consultant a monthly consultation fee of $1.00 per employee 2. Company shall develop, print and pay the cost of Plan benefit booklets and identification cards, except that costs in excess of $900 shall be paid by Contractholder. 3. Professional Negotiation Services (PNS) — Company shall attempt, through its own efforts or through its subcontractors, to negotiate Discounted Charges on medical provider bills on a case by case _basis where the Company, in its sole discretion, determines that such attempts to negotiate Discounted Charges may be beneficial to Contractholder. 4. Outpatient Recovery Services (OPRS) — Company shall attempt, through its own efforts or through its subcontractors, to reprice outpatient surgical facility charges based upon Company's or its subcontractor's proprietary charge based database. Company shall initiate this service on a case by case basis where Company, in its sole discretion, determines that such attempts to reprice charges may be beneficial to Contractholder. 5. Hospital Bill Audit Services (HBAS) — Company shall, through its own efforts or through its subcontractors, determine through a screening process whether a hospital bill is a good candidate for an on -site hospital bill audit to assess the accuracy of the inpatient or outpatient facility charges by such hospital. Company shall decide in its sole discretion whether to perform such audit or to require its subcontractor to perform such audit. 6. Hospital Credit Balance Audits — Company may, through its own efforts or through its subcontractors, audit records of certain hospitals for credit balances involving persons covered under the Plan. A "credit balance" means funds collected by a hospital from one or more sources that exceed the actual charges billed or incurred by the hospital. Company shall, in its discretion, determine which, if any, hospitals shall have their records audited for the purpose of identifying credit balances. This service applies to all claims paid or administered by Company during the term of this Agreement. 7. Company shall arrange for pharmacy benefit management services to be provided by Express Scripts, Inc. ("ESI") or any other pharmacy benefit management company selected by Company in its sole discretion. ESI or such other pharmacy benefit management company shall arrange for pharmacies in its participating pharmacy network to accept a Discounted Charge for retail and mail order prescription drugs and supplies provided to Participants. Additionally, ESI or such other pharmacy benefit management company shall be required to process Plan claims for retail and mail order prescription drugs or supplies furnished by pharmacies in its participating pharmacy network. 5-1 EXHIBIT 6 MANAGED CARE NETWORK SERVICES This Exhibit describes the terms and conditions that apply to Contractholder's access to Company's Managed Care Network. For purposes of this Exhibit, "health care provider" shall also mean "dental care provider", and "health care" and "health care services" shall also mean "dental care" and "dental care services 1. Managed Care Network Services. (a) Company shall make available to Participants a Managed Care Network in geographical sites agreed upon by Company and Contractholder. (b) Company shall provide Contractholder: (i) Participant identification cards, if applicable; (ii) A process through which Participants may be referred to Non -Network Providers in circumstances where Network Providers are not reasonably available to provide services to Participants; and (iii) A grievance process for Participants with respect to their use of Network Providers. (c) The number, type and particular health care providers who are Network Providers may change at any time. However, Company shall periodically notify Contractholder, or make available to Contractholder through the Internet, information regarding changes in the Managed Care Network. Such information shall be provided in advance or as soon as reasonably possible. (d) Company shall determine whether, which and under what conditions health care providers shall participate in the Managed Care Network. (e) Company will make available to Contractholder a listing of providers participating in Company's network. 6-1 2. Status of Network Providers. Contractholder understands and agrees that the agreements between Network Providers and Company do not create a relationship of employer and employee, principal and agent, joint venturers, partners or any other relationship other than independent contractors. Contractholder further understands and agrees that Company is not responsible for any care rendered or not rendered or health care item or service provided or not provided to Participants by Network Providers or Non -Network Providers and that Company shall not be providing any health care pursuant to this Agreement. Health care providers and Participants are solely responsible for any health care services rendered to Participants and for all treatment decisions. 3. Amount of Plan Benefits. Plan benefits for health care services furnished by Network Providers shall be equal to the amounts the Network Providers have agreed to accept in the contractual arrangements governing the Network Providers' participation in the Managed Care Network. 4. Benefit Differentials. Contractholder represents and warrants that its Plan provides a higher level of benefits and/or other incentives for health care services that are rendered by Network Providers than for health care services that are rendered by Non -Network Providers. If the Managed Care Network requires, now or in the future, a certain benefit differential, Contractholder shall amend the Plan to provide such benefit differential. (This Section does not apply to dental care services and dental care providers.) 5. Network Provider Agreements. Contractholder authorizes Company to enter into Network Provider Agreements, for the benefit of Contractholder, which agreements may, among other provisions, specify fee amounts which shall be accepted by Network Providers as payment in full for health care services provided to persons covered under Contractholder's health benefit plan. 6. Contractholder agrees to be bound by and comply with all terms and conditions of Network Provider Agreements which apply to Contractholder and its health benefit plan. 7. Inspection of Agreements. Contractholder may inspect, at its sole cost, all Network Provider Agreements applicable to Contractholder's health benefit plan at Company's Home Office, during Company's regular business hours, subject to any confidentiality restrictions in such agreements. Upon request from Contractholder, Company shall, at no cost to Contractholder, furnish one copy of any applicable standard form Network Provider Agreement intended for use with health care providers. Upon request from Contractholder and at Company's sole cost, Company shall furnish Contractholder with a copy of all applicable Network Provider Agreements with health care providers, subject to any confidentiality restrictions in such agreements. Contractholder shall hold all copies of Network Provider Agreements in a confidential manner and shall not disclose any of the terms of such agreements to any other party without Company's prior written consent. 8. Liability. Company and Contractholder do not assume any liability for the negligent, fraudulent or any other acts or omissions of any Network Provider or Non -Network Provider. It is acknowledged that Company and Contractholder have no control over 6-2 patient care. Health care providers are solely responsible for the quality of health care services. 9. Participation of Providers. The participation of a specific health care provider in the Managed Care Network may terminate in accordance with the terms of the applicable Network Provider Agreement. 10. Managed Care Services Information. Prior to the Effective Date, Contractholder shall provide Participants with written material describing the managed care services set forth in this Agreement reasonably needed by Participants to use the services. 6-3 EXHIBIT . 06 Mu udo(omdHa ComPames d April 12, 2004 Joan Francone City Of Vernon 4305 S. Santa Fe Ave. Vernon, CA 90058 Re: City of Vernon Group Policy: G0002R05 Dear Joan: Address all correspondence to Southern California Group Office 15260 Ventura Blvd., Suite 600 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Toll Free: (866) 888-2770 Phone: (818) 380-2970 Fax: (818) 380-2971 Charles F. Russell. Regional Manager LEGAL DEPT. Enclosed are copies of the revised Master Contract documents for the above referenced group. Please keep these copies for your files. In addition, a copy has been forwarded to your insurance broker for their records and future reference. Stoploss Insurance Policy: Issued due to renewal of your Stoploss Insurance Policy. (For HR Master File Only) If you have any questions regarding the enclosed material, please do not hesitate to contact me. Account Assistant Mutual of Omaha Southern California Group Office Ph: (818) 380-2970 x229 Fax: (818) 380-2971 E-Mail sal.bottieri@mutualofomaha.com CC: Bob Bumell Gallagher Benefit Services of California Insurance Services MUMdWOMW hr1URMCe COMPM9 - MUTUAL OF OMAHA PLAZA - OMAHA, NE 68175 - 402-342-7600 United of Omaha Life Insurance Company Home Office: Mutual of Omaha Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68175 A Stock Company (herein called Company) has issued this Policy to City of Vernon (herein called Policyholder) This Policy is issued in consideration of the terms, conditions and limitations of this Policy. This Policy is effective January 1, 2004, at 12:01 a.m., Standard Time, at the main office of the Policyholder. The Company agrees to reimburse the Policyholder for excess Plan payments made for the benefit of eligible employees and their eligible dependents, in accord with the terms, conditions and limitations of this Policy. This Policy is issued in and is subject to California law. UNITED OF OMAHA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY 1 0 r, o � Ps VA h WN 710 " r p� Chairman and CEO k?XLCQ�� Secretary POLICY NO. UP-2R05 (E)). (herein called Policy) Mu1ua&0[W1Hd 5654GM-U-EZ 98 W/O SUBR ASO SCHEDULE OF INSURANCE UP-2R05 Insurance coverage herein applies only during the Policy Period specified, except that the Maximum Specific Reimbursement is not limited to a Policy Period. The coverage herein assumes the benefit exclusions and provisions indicated in the Employee Benefit Plan. 1. POLICY PERIOD: Begins January 1, 2004 and ends December 31, 2004 2. SPECIFIC STOP LOSS INSURANCE (a) Specific Deductible (per Covered Unit as defined): Each Person: $200,000 (b) Specific Reimbursement Percentage: 100% (c) Maximum Specific Reimbursement: $850,000 (d) Benefit Period - Specific: Claims paid from January 1, 2004 to January 1, 2005 (e) Specific coverage includes the Policyholder's self -insured Medical Plan and includes the following coverage(s): No other coverages (f) Specific Insurance Premium Rates: Employee with or without dependents....................................................................................$44.12 (g) Special Underwriting Terms: Not Applicable 3. AGGREGATE STOP LOSS INSURANCE (a) Monthly Aggregate Deductible Factor (per Covered Unit as defined): Employee with or without dependents..................................................................................$886.09 (b) Minimum Monthly Aggregate Deductible: $202,028.52 (c) Aggregate Reimbursement Percentage: 100% (d) Maximum Aggregate Reimbursement: $1,000,000 per Policy Period (e) Aggregate coverage includes the Policyholder's self -insured Plan Medical and includes the following coverage(s): No other coverages (f) Benefit Period - Aggregate: Claims paid from January 1, 2004 to January 1, 2005 (g) Aggregate Insurance Premium Rates: Employee with or without dependents......................................................................................$5.58 (h) Special Underwriting Terms: Not Applicable DEFINITIONS ACCUMULATED AGGREGATE DEDUCTIBLE is the amount of the Policyholder's Plan aggregate liability to date, and is equal to the sum of the Monthly Aggregate Deductibles for the current Policy Period to date. AGGREGATE REIMBURSEMENT PERCENTAGE is the percentage which the Company agrees to reimburse the Policyholder for Losses Paid by the Policyholder which exceed the Policyholder's Annual Aggregate Deductible (or Accumulated Aggregate Deductible), subject to the terms and conditions of the Policy. ANNUAL AGGREGATE DEDUCTIBLE is the amount of the Policyholder's aggregate liability for the entire Policy Period and is equal to the sum of the Monthly Aggregate Deductibles for the entire Policy Period. BENEFIT PERIOD is the period during which a Loss must be Paid to be eligible for reimbursement under the Policy. COVERED UNITS are any Person or Persons covered under the Plan. Covered Units may include any person, employee, dependent, family (dependents only), family (employee plus dependents) or other as agreed by the Company and the Policyholder and may differ between the Specific and Aggregate Stop Loss Insurance. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN (OR PLAN) is the Policyholder's self -insured health care plan, provided for the benefit of the Policyholder's eligible employees and their eligible dependents. INCUR or INCURRED means medical services rendered to, or supplies received by, the Person during the Benefit Period. LOSS is an amount actually Paid by the Policyholder: (a) for benefits under the Plan; (b) in settlement of claims for benefits under the Plan; or (c) in satisfaction of judgments for benefits under the Plan. Loss, however, does not include the following: (a) any Payment which does not strictly comply with the terms and conditions of the Plan; (b) any Payments which the Policyholder may recover under any Plan nonduplication or coordination of benefits provision; (c) exemplary, extra -contractual, compensatory or punitive damages or liabilities, including but not limited to those resulting from gross negligence, intentional wrongs, fraud, bad faith or strict liability on the part of the Policyholder or the Policyholder's agent, employee or representative; (d) any settlement or litigation costs and expenses; or (e) the cost of services of a Third. Party Administrator or other contracted services. MA30 UM AGGREGATE REEWBURSEMENT is the Company's maximum liability for Aggregate Stop Loss Insurance for Losses under the Employee Benefit Plan during a Plan Period. MAMaIUM SPECIFIC R E%IBURSEMENT is the Company's maximum liability for Specific Stop Loss Insurance for Losses from any Person covered under the Employee Benefit Plan. NOTE: The Maximum Specific Reimbursement will be reduced by the amount of benefits that have been paid or that are payable under any stop -loss coverage whether issued by the Company or any other carrier. MINIMUM MONTHLY AGGREGATE DEDUCTIBLE, as shown in the Schedule of Insurance, is the Policyholder's smallest possible liability for a month during the Benefit Period, as shown in the Schedule of Insurance, for Losses under the Plan. MONTHLY AGGREGATE DEDUCTIBLE is the greater of: (a) the Minimum Monthly Aggregate Deductible as shown in the Schedule of Insurance; or (b) the Monthly Aggregate Deductible Factor multiplied by the corresponding Covered Units under the Plan for a given month. PAY, PAID, PAYMENT is any draft or check issued, provided it is delivered to the payee within 30 days. PERSON, INDIVIDUAL is anyone entitled to benefits under the Policyholder's Plan. POLICYHOLDER is an employer, organization or entity who has been approved by the Company for the insurance coverage provided by this Policy. POLICY PERIOD is the period shown in the Schedule of Insurance. OUR, WE, US means the Company shown on the face of this Policy. SPECIFIC DEDUCTIBLE is the amount of the Policyholder's liability for each Covered Unit under the Plan during the Benefit Period. For each Covered Unit, the Specific Deductible applies separately to each Benefit Period. If the Policy terminates during any Policy Period, the Specific Deductible will be calculated as if the Policy had remained in effect for the full Policy Period. SPECIFIC REIMBURSEMENT PERCENTAGE is the percentage that the Company agrees to reimburse the Policyholder for Losses exceeding the Policyholder's Specific Deductible, per Covered Unit, but subject to the terms and conditions of the Policy. GENERAL PROVISIONS AMENDMENTS TO THE EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN - No Plan change will affect this Policy or the rights or obligations of the Company without the Company's written consent. Written notice of a Plan change must be given to the Company at its Home Office, at least 31 days prior to the effective date of the change. The Company will provide reimbursement under this Policy as if the Plan had not been amended, if such advance written notice is not received and the change has not been accepted in writing by an officer of the Company. The. Company will provide reimbursement under this Policy based upon the amended Plan only after such notice is received by and the change has been accepted in writing by an officer of the Company. AMENDMENTS TO THIS POLICY - Only an officer of the Company may change this Policy. No change will be valid unless made in writing and accepted in writing by the Company. No agent has authority to change this Policy or waive any of its provisions. ASSIGNMENT - The Policyholder may not assign the Policy or its rights or obligations under the Policy. CLERICAL ERROR - A clerical error will not invalidate insurance otherwise in effect; nor will it continue insurance validly terminated. If an error is discovered, an equitable adjustment in premium will be made. If a premium adjustment involves the return of unearned premium, the amount of the return will be limited to the unearned premium for the Policy Period during which the Company receives proof such an adjustment is necessary. CONFORMITY WITH STATE STATUTES - If, on the effective date of this Policy, any provision of this Policy conflicts with any applicable law, then the provision will be deemed to conform to the minimum requirements of the law. CONCEALMENT, FRAUD - This entire Policy will be void: (a) if before or after making any reimbursement, the Company determines that the Policyholder or its agent, employee or representative has concealed or misrepresented any material fact or circumstance concerning this Policy, including any Plan Loss; or (b) in any case of fraud by the Policyholder or its agent, employee or representative relating to this Policy. , INSURANCE CONTRACT - The entire contract between the parties shall consist of (a) this Policy; (b) the Policyholder's application; and (c) Company approved riders to this Policy. EXAMINATION OF RECORDS - The Policyholder's books, records and procedures pertaining to the Plan or this Policy (and those of all their agents, employees and representatives) will be open to inspection by the Company's representatives during the Policyholder's regular business hours. HEADINGS - The headings of the various provisions of this Policy are inserted merely for convenience and do not, expressly or by implication, limit, define or extend the terms of the provisions so designated. INSOLVENCY - The Policyholder's or its Third Party Administrator's insolvency, bankruptcy, financial impairment, receivership, voluntary plan or arrangement with creditors, or dissolution: (a) will not impose upon the Company any liability other than the liability defined in this Policy; and (b) -will not make the Company liable to the Policyholder's creditors, including Persons covered under the Plan. LEGAL ACTIONS - No legal action to recover any reimbursement under this Policy may be brought earlier than 60 days after the date written claim for reimbursement has been given to the Company. No legal action may be brought more than three years after the date any Loss has been incurred for which reimbursements are claimed. LIABILITY - The Company will have neither the right nor obligation under this Policy to directly Pay any Person or provider of professional or medical services. The Company's sole liability is to the Policyholder, subject to the terms and conditions of this Policy. Nothing in this Policy shall be construed to permit a Person, other than the Policyholder, to have a direct right of action against the Company. The Company will not be considered a party to the Policyholder's Employee Benefit Plan or to any supplement or amendment to it. LUMTED SCOPE OF COVERAGE - The Company shall not be liable for any exemplary extra -contractual, compensatory, or punitive damages or liabilities of any nature, assessed against the Policyholder. The Policyholder also agrees that such damages will not be used to satisfy the Specific Deductible or Annual Aggregate Deductible. MISSTATED DATA - The Company has relied upon the underwriting information, including, but not limited to, the Select Risk Questionnaire, provided by the Policyholder or the Policyholder's agent, in the issuance of this Policy. If information becomes known after issuance of this Policy, which would have affected the rates, deductibles, terms or conditions of coverage, the Company will have the right to revise rates, deductibles, terms or conditions or rescind coverage as of the effective date of this Policy, by providing written notice to the Policyholder. PARTIES TO THIS POLICY - The parties to this Policy are the Policyholder and the Company. This Policy does not create: (a) any right or legal relationship between the Company and any Third Party Administrator or between the Company and a Person or beneficiary under the Policyholder's Plan; or (b) any responsibility or obligation of the Company to directly reimburse any Person or health care Provider for any benefits which the Policyholder has agreed to provide under the terms of its Plan. This Policy will not be deemed to make the Company a party to any agreement between the Policyholder and a Third Party Administrator. REEWBURSEMENT OF PLAN LOSSES - The Company shall have sole authority to reimburse or deny any Plan Losses under this Policy. All Payments hereunder will be reimbursed to the Policyholder as they become reimbursable under this Policy. RENEWAL - At the end of the Policy Period, but only by mutual agreement of the Policyholder and the Company, this Policy may be renewed for another Policy Period. The renewal may be subject to new premium rates, new Special Underwriting Terms, new Benefit Period and other new terms and conditions. The Company's approval of a renewal requested by the Policyholder for insurance designating a new Policy Period, Benefit Period and new Policy terms and conditions, shall require a new Schedule of Insurance to be issued by the Company. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE - If any clause is deemed void, void -able, invalid, or otherwise unenforceable, whether or not such a provision is contrary to public interest, voiding that clause will not render any of the remaining provisions of this Policy invalid DUTIES OF THE POLICYHOLDER In addition to all other duties and obligations described in this Policy, the parties agree that the Policyholder shall have the duties and obligations described herein. PROOF OF PLAN LOSS - The Policyholder agrees to maintain (and make available at all times) such information as the Company may reasonably require for Payment of claims under this Policy. FUNDING PLAN LOSSES - If the Policyholder fails to provide funds for timely Payment, at the Company's option: (a) coverage under this Policy will immediately terminate for the Policyholder; and (b) any Annual Aggregate Deductible and/or Specific Deductible will be deemed not satisfied. REPORTING COVERED UNITS - The Policyholder agrees to prepare and submit to the Company by the 15th calendar day of each month a report of the total number of Covered Units under the Plan during the prior month. RECORDS - The Policyholder agrees to maintain records reasonably required by the Company; (a) while the Policyholder is insured under this,Policy; and (b) for seven years after termination. The Policyholder shall furnish to the Company, upon its request, all pertinent data concerning Persons covered under the Plan. NOTIFICATION - The Policyholder will immediately notify the Company of Plan termination or Third Party Administrator changes. PLAN DOCUMENT - The Policyholder shall provide to the Company a copy of the self -insured Plan document. PREMIUMS AND FACTORS PAYMENT OF PREMIUMS - The fast premium Due Date is on the fast day of the Policy Period. Premiums for each subsequent Period of Coverage are due the first day of each month during the Policy Period. Payment should be made to the Company at the Home Office, unless an officer of the Company authorizes payment to be made somewhere else. If this Policy terminates for any reason: (a) the Policyholder is liable for all premiums to the date of termination, including premiums for any Grace Period or part of any Grace Period; and (b) all unpaid premiums are due no later than the date of termination. PREMIUM AMOUNT - The premium amount for each Person will be calculated separately, on the basis. of rates shown in the Schedule of Insurance. The amount of premium due will be the sum of the products obtained by multiplying each rate, as shown in the Schedule of Insurance, by the appropriate number of Persons covered under the Plan to which the rate applies. GRACE PERIOD - A Grace Period of 31 days from the Due Date will be allowed for the Payment of premiums after the first premium Payment. Coverage will automatically terminate at the end of the Grace Period if premium is unpaid when the Grace Period ends. PREMIUM RATE, DEDUCTIBLES AND FACTOR CHANGES - The Company may change premium rates, Aggregate or Specific Deductibles or Aggregate Deductible Factors on any of the following dates: (a) the date the Policyholder's Plan or Policy is amended; (b) the date the Policyholder adds or deletes a subsidiary, affiliated company or division; or (c) the date an increase or decrease in the number of Covered Units under the Plan exceeds 10% of those from the prior month (or 10% over any period of 12 consecutive months). If the Company gives at least 60. days' advance written notice, the Company also has the right to adjust the premium rates: (a) when the premium taxes payable by the Company increase (but only to the extent of the increase); (b) when the Company assumes any Policy administration previously performed by the Policyholder or a Third Party Administrator; or (c) when any Policy change is required to comply with state or federal law. Any submission of incorrect premium amounts or number of Covered Units in the prior Policy Period must be reported to the Company within 60 days after the prior Policy Period ends. EFFECTIVE DATE OF INSURANCE Insurance for Policyholder will commence on the effective date of the Policy. TERMINATION OF INSURANCE This Policy will continue in effect until the end of each Policy Period, as shown on the Schedule of Insurance; unless coverage is terminated as set forth below. The Policy will terminate on the earliest of: (a) the date the Policyholder's Employee Benefit Plan terminates; (b) the date the Policyholder dissolves, suspends active business operations, or is placed in bankruptcy or receivership; or (c) the date the Company receives written notice of termination from the Policyholder, or the termination date requested by the Policyholder (whichever is later); (d) the day a change in the Aggregate Stop -Loss Deductible or Specific Stop -Loss Deductible; or a premium increase is effective but has not been accepted in writing by the Policyholder, or (e) the end of the Grace Period if premium has not been Paid by such date. The Policy may also be terminated, at the Company's option, on the earliest of: (a) the date the Policyholder fails to fund the benefits provided by the Plan; (b) the date the Policyholder amends the Plan without the Company's written consent; (c) the date the number of employees covered under the Policyholder's Plan is less than 50; or (d) the date the Policyholder fails to perform any of its duties as described in this Policy. The Company will not refund any portion of the earned premiums Paid by Policyholder in the event coverage terminates during a Policy Period. NEW POLICY PERIOD At the end of the Policy Period this Policy may be renewed for a new Policy Period by mutual written agreement of the Policyholder and the Company. If the Policy is renewed a new Schedule of Insurance will be issued by the Company. The new Schedule of Insurance will set forth certain terms for the new Policy Period. REINSTATEMENT AFTER THE POLICY ENDS If this Policy terminates for any reason, it can be reinstated only: (a) by an officer of the Company; (b) in writing; and (c) subject to any written conditions of reinstatement imposed by the Company. SPECIFIC STOP LOSS INSURANCE INSURING PROVISION - If, during any Benefit Period, Losses for any Covered Unit exceed the Specific Deductible, the Company will reimburse the Policyholder an amount equal to the product of the Specific Reimbursement Percentage and the amount by which Losses exceed the Specific Deductible. Losses from any Person may not exceed the Maximum Specific Reimbursement. The Specific Deductible, as shown in the Schedule of Insurance, applies separately to each Covered Unit during a Policy Period. The Maximum Specific Reimbursement, Benefit Period and Specific Reimbursement Percentage are shown in the Schedule of Insurance. LOSSES for any Covered Unit during the Benefit Period shall also be subject to any Special Underwriting Terms, as shown in the Schedule of Insurance. CLAIM SETTLEMENTS - The Company will reimburse the Policyholder for Losses for which indemnity is herein provided. AGGREGATE STOP LOSS INSURANCE COVERAGE PROVISION - If, during a Benefit Period, Losses exceed the Annual Aggregate Deductible for the Policy Period, the Company will Pay to the Policyholder an amount: (a) equal to the product of the Aggregate Reimbursement Percentage and the amount by which Losses exceed the Annual Aggregate Deductible; but (b) not exceeding the Maximum Aggregate Reimbursement. However, if the Policy terminates before the Policy Period ends: (a) the Annual Aggregate Deductible will be deemed not satisfied; and (b) the Company will not be liable for any aggregate reimbursement. The Maximum Aggregate Reimbursement, Benefit Period, Aggregate Deductible Factors and Aggregate Reimbursement Percentage are shown in the Schedule of Insurance. LOSSES during any Benefit Period shall also be subject to the Special Underwriting Terms, as shown in the Schedule of Insurance. Loss will not include amounts exceeding the Specific Deductible and will not include amounts Paid by the Company under any other provision of this Policy. CLAIM SETTLEMENT The Company will reimburse the Policyholder for Losses for which indemnity is herein. provided