The Relationship Between Transit Systems and TPA’s George Y. Gilpatrick Jr. Carol Law, PhD

Establishing the Terms  Random Draws  Records Management  Program Monitoring  Collection Site Monitoring  Quality Control  MRO Service  Industry Expert

Establishing the Terms  Do you have a clear agreement of services?  Is it fully enumerated?  What are the terms?

Establishing the Terms  Be clear about the expectations of service  Remember the structure (the transit system is the client)

Establishing the Terms  What have you requested?  What was delivered?

Service Expectations  If randomization is your only stated need, the TPA should not be expected to provide monitoring

Service Expectations  The TPA is precluded from performing certain tasks

Prohibited Service Lab resultsMRO Alc. +DAPMDonorMRO

Monitoring  What does “monitoring” entail?

Accuracy of TPA Services  The Draw -On Time -Accurate List -Adequate Numbers -Reasonably Spread

Accuracy of TPA Services  The Communication -Regular -Timely (adequate warning) -Sufficiently Service Oriented -Accurate concerning regulation

Accuracy of TPA Services  The Records -Arrive promptly -Available when requested -Accurately completed

Accuracy of TPA Services  The Monitoring -Guidance for collection services -Guidance for MRO services -Assistance with random spreads

Accuracy of TPA Services  The Monitoring -Post-accident testing -Pre-employment testing -Reasonable suspicion

Accuracy of TPA Services  The Monitoring -Return-to-Duty -Follow-up ***Negative results are required, monitoring is crucial

Accuracy of TPA Services  The Testing Cycle -Testing cycle is completed before an invoice is sent

Industry Issue  The most common TPA issue told to the FTA audit team: The TPA acts as if the transit system works for them

Industry Issue  Transit systems also have difficulty with TPA’s not adequately assisting during audits/MIS:

Industry Issue  Is your TPA available to answer audit questions?  Is your MRO?  Are they cooperative?

Discussion- The TPA and:  Audits  MIS  Daily Operations  Ease and Convenience  Compliance, Compliance, Compliance, and Compliance