Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Chester J. Kunnappilly, MD, Chief Executive Officer, San Mateo Medical Center
Subject: Amendment to Agreement with Sanjay & Archana Bindra MDs Inc to Provide Cardiology Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Sanjay & Archana Bindra MDs Inc to increase the amount authorized to expended under the agreement by $47,843 to an amount not to exceed $1,965,007 with no change to the agreement term.
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BACKGROUND:
In January 2021, the County and Sanjay & Archana Bindra MDs Inc (Dr.’s Bindra) entered into an agreement whereby Dr.’s Bindra agreed to provide non-invasive cardiology services for the term of February 1, 2021, through January 31, 2024, in an amount not to exceed $1,702,000.
The County and Dr.’s Bindra amended the agreement three times to expand coverage and increase the amount of the agreement to an amount not to exceed $1,917,164.
To reduce clinic wait times for cardiology services, in early 2023 San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) began the practice of opening Saturday cardiology clinics to offer patients more convenient and better follow-up access for heart care. Dr.’s Bindra staffed the Saturday clinics as requested.
The agreement with Dr.’s Bindra for the term of February 1, 2021, and January 31, 2024, contained a clause in Exhibit B which allowed SMMC to approve additional clinics to meet patient need. However, the amount authorized to expended under the agreement did not contemplate all of the funds needed to pay Dr.’s Bindra for covering the Saturday clinics as they continued throughout the year.
DISCUSSION:
Although the agreement term ended on January 31, 2024, Dr.’s Bindra have provided valuable services to the County’s patients and cooperated with SMMC’s request to add more flexible cardiology coverage to give patients expanded access to cardiology care. This amendment is requesting the Board to approve additional funds to the agreement to permit Dr.’s Bindra’s compensation to be duly reviewed, approved, and issued in accordance with County policy.
Dr.’s Bindra’s current agreement, which was recently approved by the Board on January 9, 2024 (Resolution No. 080104), fully incorporates the expansion of Saturday cardiology clinics through its term of February 1, 2024, through January 31, 2027.
The rates in Dr.’s Bindra’s prior and current contract are within fair market value according to VMG Health, a nationally recognized medical services valuation firm that relies upon multiple industry-standard provider compensation surveys and aggregates that data.
County Attorney has reviewed and approved the resolution and agreement as to form.
It is anticipated that Dr.’s Bindra provides cardiology coverage and meets all call coverage needs 100% of the time, both in inpatient and outpatient settings.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2022-23 Actual |
FY 2023-24 Estimated |
|
Percentage of time that Dr.’s Bindra provides cardiology coverage and meets all call coverage needs both in inpatient and outpatient settings |
100% |
100% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the amended agreement is February 1, 2021, through January 31, 2024. The amendment increases the amount payable under the agreement by $47,843 to an amount not to exceed $1,965,007 for the three-year term. Funds in the amount of $47,843 are included in the SMMC FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget.
Expenses at SMMC are covered by fees for services or third-party payors whenever possible. The portion of expenses for services provided to the medically indigent or to those covered by programs that do not meet the full costs of care is covered by the County’s General Fund contribution to SMMC and is within the existing annual appropriation.