Title
Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Division, recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 209-S1711 with Patagonia Health, Inc. for the purchase of software licenses, support, and implementation of the Patagonia database and billing system, for Public Health Nursing, for the term effective upon execution and to continue for a period of 5 years from the date thereof, with a maximum contractual obligation of $315,475; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 209-S1711, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: Federal and State Funding.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board approve and authorize Agreement for Services 209-S1711 with Patagonia Health, Inc. for the purchase of licenses, support, and implementation of software that enables Public Health Nursing and their staff to maintain their patient Electronic Medical Record/Practice Management Systems within the Vendor Electronic Medical Record/ Practice Management System Software to provide diagnostics, billings and other medical services to patients. Agreement 209-S1711 has a term effective upon execution and continues for a period of five years, with a maximum obligation of $315,475, which survives early termination of the Agreement.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 included provisions requiring implementation of the electronic health record (EHR), focused on conversion to an EHR by January 1, 2014, and to prove the conversion was successful by demonstrating and documenting "meaningful use." Meaningful Use is a requirement of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and specifies that a certified EHR serves to (1) improve health quality, (2) improve health safety, (3) improve health delivery efficiency, (4) reduce disparities in health care, (5) interact with patients and families, (6) advance coordination of medical care, and (7) secure and keep private information contained in the patient's EHR. The Health Information Technology (HIT) provisions of ARRA are found in Title XIII and Title IV, "Health Information Technology" and "Medicare and Medicaid Health Information Technology" respectively. While this Federal requirement focuses primarily on hospitals and professionals in private practice, it also pertains to public services such as those provided by the Public Health Clinic.
Staff members from County Information Technologies (IT) and the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) have researched available software systems suitable for Public Health records and billing while remaining specific to the requirements of the California Medi-Cal system. It has been determined that the Patagonia Health system meets electronic health record requirements, and will allow for third party billing for client services.
Approval of Agreement 209-S1711 will allow for the provision of software necessary to submit timely and accurate Medi-Cal billing while ensuring that the County continues to conform with the global healthcare transition from paper records to electronic health records.
ALTERNATIVES:
Disapproval of Agreement for Services 209-S1711 will result in the continued use of antiquated health record systems, including a manual billing process.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel, Human Resources, Information Technologies, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the fiscal year 2016-17 budget, and will be included in future budgets for the term of the Agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on two (2) original Agreements for Services 209-S1711.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Health and Human Services Agency Strategic Plan Project 4.1 Information Technology; Objective 4.1.13: Identify a cost effective technology solution to support the current and projected needs of Public Health Nursing and Communicable Diseases.
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph. D., Director