Welcome to Columbia University Purchasing

New Discount Pricing Available with Three Answering Service Companies

May 15, 2006

The Purchasing Office has awarded a preferred vendor contract to H Link for provision of answering services to Columbia University faculty practice and clinical departments. H Link was selected through a competitive RP process. The RFP team, which included faculty practice representatives, concluded that H Link offers the best pricing and service of answering service suppliers who participated. Two other suppliers, Answer X Act and Telemed, were also awarded contracts as qualified vendors in order to provide a range of options to CUMC physicians.

The new contracts executed with these suppliers lock in competitive, discounted rates not typically available to individual practitioners or offices.

In addition to lower operating costs, participants taking advantage of the answering service program also will benefit from more efficient service and billing. All three approved suppliers have met HIPAA compliance requirements.

For more information on answering service suppliers, pricing and services, visit the Purchasing Office website at www.columbia.edu/purchasing/pv_list.html or contact Michael Reich at mmr62@columbia.edu or 212-854-2337.