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Health Services Department, Mental Health Division, recommending the Board authorize the Chair to sign Amendment I to Agreement 308-S1010 with Clinicians Telemed Medical Group, Inc., extending the agreement for two (2) additional months, clarifying the compensation terms and increasing compensation by $40,500 to a new total of $99,000 to provide psychiatry services for seriously mentally ill adults on an “as requested” basis for said Department.
FUNDING: Medi-Cal, Mental Health Realignment & Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).
Body
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BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Cost |
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$99,000 |
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Funding |
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Original Contract |
$58,500 |
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Amendment I |
$40,500 |
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Savings |
$ |
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Other |
$ |
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Total Contract Amount |
$99,000 |
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Change To Net County Cost |
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$0 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agreement. This Amendment I increases the not-to-exceed amount by $40,500 for a new total not-to-exceed amount of $99,000.
Compensation for Services: Payments are made to Contractor based upon monthly invoicing, at specified billing rates as detailed on Page 9 of the Agreement, for actual services performed and documented per contract requirements.
Contract Termination: This Agreement includes the County’s standard Fiscal Considerations termination language, as well as a provision for the County to terminate the Agreement without cause upon seven (7) calendar days written notice.
Background: The Health Services Department Mental Health Division has been recruiting for the position of psychiatrist for approximately two years. After repeated unsuccessful attempts to hire psychiatrist staff, the Department has sought alternative solutions to managing the psychiatric workload due to the 2.0 full-time employee (FTE) psychiatrist position allocation vacancies.
The population served by MHD (children with serious emotional disturbance and adults with serious mental illness) typically requires specialty psychiatry/medication services as a core element of their care.
Various attempts to use locum tenens placement services have been unsuccessful; the disparate locations (West Slope and South Lake Tahoe) and the multi-discipline environment (inpatient and outpatient for both juveniles and adults) have created many obstacles to successfully placing psychiatrists.
Clinicians Telemed Medical Group, Inc. (CMG) is able to perform psychiatric services remotely for the Health Services Department’s Mental Health Division (MHD) by use of telemedicine equipment from its offices in Bakersfield.
The original Agreement was approved by the Purchasing Agent January 25, 2011 with a term of January 25, 2011 through June 30, 2011, to allow the Department the opportunity to evaluate the Contractor’s services. CMG has provided a physician who possesses the licensure, training and experience to meet the needs of MHD’s clientele. In addition, this qualified physician met the approval of the MHD Medical Director and is a compatible fit with the population being served.
The Department has determined that the Contractor is successfully meeting the needs of the Department and its clients. Accordingly, the Department is recommending approval of this Amendment I to allow continuation of services during the time period needed to complete development, review, and execution of a renewal Agreement.
Reason for Recommendation: Approval of this Amendment I to that Agreement 308-S1010 will allow the Department sufficient time to develop and present to the Board a renewal Agreement with this Contractor. The relationship between psychiatrist and client is imperative to successful mental health treatment and approval of this Amendment I will enable consistent and continuous service for those clients receiving treatment from the CMG physician.
Action to be taken following Board approval:
1. Chair to sign three (3) original Amendments I to Agreement 308-S1010.
2. Board Clerk’s Office to return two (2) original Amendments to the Health Services Department, Mental Health Division.
3. Mental Health Division to distribute as appropriate.
Contact: Neda West, Health Services Department
Concurrences: County Counsel and Risk Management