Title
a. Authorize the Director of Health to execute a Standard Agreement with Medical Doctor Associates for Locum Tenens Healthcare Provider Referrals, for the term of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018 in the total Agreement amount not to exceed $900,000; and
b. Authorize the Director of Health to sign up to three (3) future amendments to this Agreement where the amendments do not exceed 10% of the annual contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Director of Health to execute a Standard Agreement with Medical Doctor Associates for Locum Tenens Healthcare Provider Referrals, for the term of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018 in the total Agreement amount not to exceed $900,000; and
b. Authorize the Director of Health to sign up to three (3) future amendments to this Agreement where the amendments do not exceed 10% of the annual contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Health Department’s Clinic Services Bureau (Clinic Services) engages in Locum Tenen Physician services in times of critical medical need when sufficient permanent staffing is not available in clinic due to circumstances such as resignations, extended leaves and increases in demand for services. Medical Doctor Associates (MDA) is a Locum Tenens agency that provides physician, nurse practitioner and physician assistant health care placement services to provide temporary medical services in accordance with applicable Federal, State, and County laws, rules, and regulations, and policies.
The Health Department has contracted with MDA since 2009. Since the original Agreement has not been updated for over 5 years, the Health Department is seeking to enter into a new Agreement with MDA. Through the years, MDA has proven to be a reliable vendor, providing high-quality qualified physician referrals. Continuation of this Agreement will assure the provision of essential primary care and specialty care services continues for the patients of Clinic Services during temporary physician absences and/or shortages. Currently, a Locum Tenens Pediatric Cardiologist is providing a critical service to patients at the Laurel Pediatric Clinic three days a month and it is important this continues to maintain continuity of patient care.
The Agreement has a term of three (3) years ending June 30, 2018. Locum Tenens are hired on a per diem rate applicable to the professional medical specialty, which has been negotiated with MDA. The per diem rate is standard for this type of service and includes an all-inclusive daily rate as listed in Exhibit A-Part 2.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2011-2015 Strategic Plan Initiative by ensuring access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services. It also supports one or more of the Ten Essentials of Public Health Services, specifically to link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel, Risk Management, and Auditor-Controller have reviewed and concur with this recommendation. The Agreement is on file with the Clerk of the Board.
FINANCING:
The total three-year contract for Clinic Services is $900,000. Funding for the first year of the Agreement has been included in the Health Department’s Clinic Services Bureaus’ FY 2015-16 Adopted Budget. Funding for the remaining two years will be incorporated into the respective requested budge years. There is no increase in General Fund contributions created by the approval of this Agreement as utilization of Locum Tenens Physicians creates revenue by the services provided to the community.
Prepared by: Sheena Morales, Management Analyst III, 1393
Approved by: Ray Bullick, Director of Health, 4526
Attachment:
Agreement is on file with the Clerk of the Board