Title
a. Authorize the Interim Chief Executive Officer for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) or his designee to execute amendment No. 1 to the agreement with AE & Associates, LLC for coding, audits, onsite training and remote coding support services, extending the agreement an additional two (2) year period (August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2024) for a revised full agreement term of August 1, 2019 through July 31, 2024, and adding $179,616 for a revised total agreement amount not to exceed $279,616.
b. Authorize the Interim Chief Executive Officer for NMC or his designee to execute up to three (3) future amendments to the agreement which do not significantly alter the scope of work and do not cause an increase of more than ten percent (10%) ($10,000) of the original cost of the agreement.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Interim Chief Executive Officer for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) or his designee to execute amendment No. 1 to the agreement with AE & Associates, LLC for coding, audits, onsite training and remote coding support services, extending the agreement an additional two (2) year period (August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2024) for a revised full agreement term of August 1, 2019 through July 31, 2024, and adding $179,616 for a revised total agreement amount not to exceed $279,616.
b. Authorize the Interim Chief Executive Officer for NMC or his designee to execute up to three (3) future amendments to the agreement which do not significantly alter the scope of work and do not cause an increase of more than ten percent (10%) ($10,000) of the original cost of the agreement.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
(An increase of audit reviews (Correctional Facilities, COVID, and Traumas) ensure all regulatory and coding assignments are accurate; quality reviews of documentation are also performed to ensure regulatory, and Natividad standards are met. The service that AE provides to Natividad ensures that the submission for reimbursement is accurate and the data submission to public entities meets the state standards and requirements. The appending of medical codes is based on the treatment and services provided to the patient. Patients are able to obtain resources and apply for other services to sustain their daily living. The tremendous complication, unforeseen pandemic, ongoing updates, and changes have made it challenging for the coder; acquiring a third-party entity to review the records ensures transparency and allows the auditor to educate and view the encounters with integrity.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and approved this amendment No. 1 as to form, and the Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved as to payment provisions. The amendment No. 1 has also been reviewed and approved by NMC’s Finance Committee and by its Board of Trustees on January 14, 2022.
FINANCING:
The cost for this amendment No. 1 is $179,616 of which $89,808 is included in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Adopted Budget. Amounts for remaining years of the agreement will be included in those budgets as appropriate.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Natividad has employed licensed coders and is a resident within Monterey County. They are dedicated and well versed in their profession of expertise.
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Prepared by: Kim Williams-Neal, Director of Health Information Management, 783-2440
Approved by: Charles R. Harris, Interim Chief Executive Officer, 783-2504
Attachments:
AE & Associates, LLC Amendment 1
AE & Associates, LLC Agreement
Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board