Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a non-standard Agreement with NextGen Healthcare, Inc., for the provision of licensing and software of electronic health record (EHR) and practice management solutions, including patient scheduling, billing, clinical documentation, and reporting tools, to support efficient healthcare delivery and compliance, for a total Agreement amount of $75,000 for a term of upon execution through June 30, 2029;
b. Approve the recommendation of Director of Health Services to accept all non-standard provisions in Agreement, including indemnification and insurance provisions;
c. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to approve up to three (3) future amendments that do not exceed 10% ($7,500) of the original Agreement amount, do not significantly alter the scope of services, and do not exceed a maximum amount of $82,500; and
d. Approve and authorize the Contracts and Purchasing Officer or their designee to execute future Amendments, provided they do not exceed an aggregate amount of $200,000 and fall within the signing authority of the Contracts and Purchasing Officer.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a non-standard Agreement with NextGen Healthcare, Inc., for the provision of licensing and software of electronic health record (EHR) and practice management solutions, including patient scheduling, billing, clinical documentation, and reporting tools, to support efficient healthcare delivery and compliance, for a total Agreement amount of $75,000 for a term of upon execution through June 30, 2029;
b. Approve the recommendation of Director of Health Services to accept all non-standard provisions in Agreement, including indemnification and insurance provisions;
c. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to approve up to three (3) future amendments that do not exceed 10% ($7,500) of the original Agreement amount, do not significantly alter the scope of services, and do not exceed a maximum amount of $82,500; and
d. Approve and authorize the Contracts and Purchasing Officer or their designee to execute future Amendments, provided they do not exceed an aggregate amount of $200,000 and fall within the signing authority of the Contracts and Purchasing Officer.
SUMMARY:
County of Monterey Health Department recommends approval of this agreement with NextGen Healthcare. This agreement will allow for a sustainable architecture that will allow for the timely, accurate, and secure transfer of electronic patient health information and data among community partners ensuring optimal care for patients and county residents. This agreement will also ensure compliance with requirements for the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-CAL and California Health and Human Services Data Sharing Agreement and Data Exchange Framework.
DISCUSSION:
In July 2022, California Health and Human Services released the Data Sharing Agreement Data Exchange Framework. This Agreement is intended to facilitate data exchange between the Participants in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies. This Agreement sets forth a common set of terms, conditions, and obligations to support secure real-time access to, or exchange of, Health and Social Services Information between and among the Participants. At the same time, the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-CAL (CalAIM) initiative has increased both eligible services and eligible beneficiaries requiring secure data exchange transfers between systems and entities that historically have not worked together.
To adhere to these requirements and ensure accurate, complete, timely, and secure transfers of electronic patient health information between the County of Monterey Health Department and community partners who do not have robust technical systems, the County of Monterey Health Department will require a sustainable and scalable product that can ensure secure file transfers among these partners. NextGen Healthcare offers a solution called MIRTH Connect which allows Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) channels to be set up between the Health Department and other health and social service providers and partners regardless of which electronic health record system is used.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of the County Counsel and Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this Data Processing Agreement as to legal form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
Appropriations for this Agreement are included in the Health Department’s (HEA014-8438) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Adopted Budget. For the FYs out, provision will be made in the Requested Budget for the appropriate year.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This agreement will establish a partnership that ensures health providers will have timely, complete, and accurate patient data. The products provided in this agreement addresses the following objectives and milestones outlined in the Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan: ensures care coordination and re-entry transition of services, addresses continuum service delivery gaps.
Mark a check next to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals:
California Health and Safety Code § 130290 was enacted in 2021 and establishes the creation of the California Health and Human Services Data Exchange Framework and requires certain data sharing among entities as set forth in California Health and Safety Code § 130290(f) on or before January 31, 2024. California Health and Safety Code § 130290 also provides for the California Health and Human Services Agency to encourage the inclusion of county health, public benefit, and social services as part of the Data Exchange Framework.
_X_ Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
Prepared by: Rich Wagreich, Departmental Information Systems Manager II, 755-4351
Shiba Sumeshwar, Management Analyst III, 755-4018
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Agreement