Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, Health System
Chester J. Kunnappilly, MD, Chief Executive Officer, San Mateo Medical Center
Subject: Agreement with Remedy Medical Group, Inc. to Provide Pain Management Services
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Remedy Medical Group, Inc. to provide pain management services for the term of August 1, 2018 through July 31, 2019, for an amount not to exceed $200,000.
body
BACKGROUND:
San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) has experienced an increased need for medical assessment and treatment of chronic pain. These services frequently include the care of patients with concurrent substance abuse issues, chronic pain syndrome (e.g. back pain, headaches, and musculoskeletal pain), and disease-related diagnosis (e.g., cancer and rheumatologic pain). This need is being addressed through direct clinical services for patients, including history and physical assessment, treatment plans, and prescriptions.
Remedy Medical Group, Inc. (Remedy Medical Group), has provided SMMC with professional physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) and pain management services for the past nine years.
DISCUSSION:
Remedy Medical Group has agreed to continue providing pain management services at the SMMC main campus and the Daly City Clinic, including physician supervision of a clinic for behavioral and psychological assessment, medical assessment, and interventional medication management associated with pain management services. This agreement provides for a balanced approach to treating patient’s pain symptoms that fosters appropriate decision-making with respect to the prescription of opioids. In particular, this approach reduces the chance of over-prescribing opioids and the possible risk of patient addiction, drug diversion, trafficking and addition. Remedy Medical Group, through Dr. Elaine Date, will also provide up to four educational lectures annually to SMMC’s medical staff addressing pain management medicine.
County Administrative Memorandum B-1 provides that contracts for physicians are exempt from the Request for Proposals process.
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The agreement contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy Community by providing access to pain management services to County residents. It is anticipated that the number of patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with pain issues will be reduced by a minimum of 5 patients per day.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2016-17 Actual |
FY 2017-18 Projected |
|
Reduction in number of patients per day presenting to the ED with pain management issues |
5 patients |
5 patients |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is August 1, 2018 through July 31, 2019. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $200,000 for the one-year term. Funds in the amount of $183,333 are included in the SMMC FY 2018-19 Recommended Budget.
The payment provisions differ from the prior agreement due to a 5% increase based on current Medical Group Management Association guidelines.
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.