Title
A motion was made by Supervisor Luis A. Alejo, seconded by Supervisor Jane Parker to:
a. Authorize the Deputy Purchasing Agent for Natividad Medical Center to execute an agreement with National Committee for Quality Assurance or NCQA for Practice’s participation in NCQA’s PCMH Recognition Program at NMC for an amount not to exceed $10,000 with an agreement term March 1, 2019 through February 28, 2022.
b. Approve non-standard indemnity provision in agreement, as recommended by Chief Executive Officer Gary Gray, D.O.; and
c. Authorize the Deputy Purchasing Agent for Natividad or his designee to execute up to two (2) 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%) ($1,000) of the original cost of the agreement.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Deputy Purchasing Agent for Natividad Medical Center to execute an agreement with National Committee for Quality Assurance or NCQA for Practice’s participation in NCQA’s PCMH Recognition Program at NMC for an amount not to exceed $10,000 with an agreement term March 1, 2019 through February 28, 2022.
b. Approve non-standard indemnity provision in agreement, as recommended by Chief Executive Officer Gary Gray, D.O.; and
c. Authorize the Deputy Purchasing Agent for Natividad or his designee to execute up to two (2) 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%) ($1,000) of the original cost of the agreement.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) is a National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recognition program that provides a model of care for primary care facilities. PCMH emphasizes care coordination and is a proven way of organizing primary care using teamwork and technology to improve quality and patients’ experience of care, and to reduce costs. PCMH recognition is the most widely adopted model for transforming primary care practices into medical homes. To earn NCQA Recognition, practices must meet rigorous standards for addressing patient needs.
Natividad operates Natividad Medical Group (NMG), a primary care clinic that provides preventative, primary, and follow up care for patients. Natividad Medical Group is striving to earn PCMH recognition and adopt the best practices and guidelines that will translate to better care for patients. This process includes evaluating and transforming the NMG processes and patient care as specified by NCQA. There is an initial recognition followed by an annual reporting process to retain the recognition. Each clinician in NMG that qualifies will also be individually PCMH recognized.
In order to enroll in the NCQA program for recognition, a standard NCQA PCMH agreement and a BAA (Business Associates Agreement) must be signed. The Agreement outlines the terms for participation in PCMH, while the purpose of the BAA is to satisfy certain standards and
requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This request is to approve the agreements that need to be signed and the initial recognition fees and future renewal fees for NMG to pursue PCMH recognition.
The Monterey County Health Department’s Laurel Internal Medicine Clinic has received PCMH recognition, and the Health Department is working on expanding that recognition to the other eight Health Department clinics. A very similar agreement and BAA with NCQA has been approved by the Board in 2017 for the Health Department.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved this agreement as to legal form, and the Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved as to payment provisions. The agreement has also been reviewed and approved by NMC’s Finance Committee on January 24, 2019 and by its Board of Trustees on February 2, 2019.
FINANCING:
The cost for this agreement is $10,000 of which $2,500 which is included in the Fiscal Year 2018-19 Adopted Budget. Amounts for remaining years of the agreement will be included in those budgets as appropriate.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
A growing body of evidence documents the many benefits of patient centered medical homes, including better quality, patient experience, continuity, prevention and disease management. Studies show lower costs from reduced emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admissions. Studies also show reduced disparities in care and lower rates of provider burnout. PCMHs’ power to improve the quality, cost and experience of primary care only sets a foundation for the broad change our health care system needs.
Medical homes are the foundation for a health care system that achieves the “Quadruple Aim” of achieving excellent clinical quality, patient experience and employee management while lowering the cost of care.
__ Economic Development
__ Administration
X Health and Human Services
__ Infrastructure
__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Karen Medalen IT Project Manager, 783-2811
Approved by: Gary R. Gray, DO, Chief Executive Officer, 783-2504
Attachments:
National Committee for Quality Assurance Agreement
Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board