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: Second Amendment to the Agreement with Tarunpreet Bains, MD, to Provide Hematology and Oncology Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Tarunpreet Bains, MD, to increase Dr. Bains’ FTE from 0.6 to 0.7, to increase clinic commitment from 24 half-day hematology and oncology clinics per month to 28 half-day hematology and oncology clinics per month and increase the amount payable from $750,000 to $790,000.
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BACKGROUND:
San Mateo County is responsible for providing necessary medical care to its medically indigent population. This includes services for oncology disorders and the management and supervision of those services. The County’s need for these services is increasing due to the aging of its patient population.
The County previously entered into an agreement with Dr. Bains for hematology and oncology services for the term of August 1, 2019 through July 31, 2021. On September 9, 2019, the parties amended the agreement payment provisions with no increase to the maximum amount payable under the agreement.
DISCUSSION:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a backlog in the hematology and oncology department. Additional clinics are necessary in order to secure necessary and timely patient care to County patients.
In order to meet this need, the County is amending the current agreement with Dr. Bains, increasing the FTE amount from 0.6 to 0.7. This amendment also increases Dr. Bains’ clinic commitment from 24 half-day hematology and oncology clinics per month to 28 half-day hematology and oncology clinics per month. Dr. Bains will provide inpatient hematology and oncology consults, in addition to clinical services, to improve referral pathways from primary care to specialists. Dr. Bains also will provide call coverage.
County Administrative Memorandum B-1 provides that contracts for physicians are exempt from the Request for Proposals process.
The amendment will be effective February 1, 2021.
The amendment is coming to the Board late due to prolonged negotiations.
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).
It is anticipated that there will be a 20% reduction in outside referrals for hematology/oncology.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2021-22 Estimated |
FY 2022-23 Projected |
|
Percentage of reduction in outside referrals for Hematology/Oncology |
20% |
20% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is August 1, 2019 through July 31, 2021. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $750,000 for the two-year term. This second amendment is to increase the amount payable from $750,000 to $790,000. Funds in the amount of $395,000 are included in the San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) FY 2021-22 Recommended Budget. Similar arrangements will be made for future years.
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 are covered by the County’s General Fund contribution to SMMC, and are within the existing annual appropriation.