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Health and Human Services Agency, recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 2082 with LocumTenens.com, LLC for the provision of medical practitioners for Behavioral Health Services, upon execution and shall continue through August 31, 2021, with a maximum contractual obligation of $750,000 and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent or their designee to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 2082, 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: State (including Mental Health Services Act) and Federal Funding.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board approve and authorize Agreement for Services #2082 with LocumTenens.com to provide medical practitioners for mental health services to ensure ongoing availability of mental health professionals for the duration of the Agreement. These services are consistent with those outlined in the agreement between the State and the County of El Dorado for the provision of Specialty Mental Health Services and the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Plan and Three-year Plan-Updates. HHSA has experienced long-term difficulty in recruiting part- or full-time psychiatrists, most notably in the South Lake Tahoe Behavioral Health Clinic. LocumTenens.com provides access to medical practitioners, including via teleconference, to fulfill the needs of psychiatric services that the County has been unsuccessful in filling via recruitment.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Welfare and Institutions (W&I) Code Section 5897 directs the State to implement the mental health services defined in the W&I Code Section 5800 (Adult and Older Adult Mental Health System of Care Act), Section 5840 (Prevention and Early Intervention Programs), and Section 5850 (The Children’s Mental Health Services Act) through contracts with county mental health programs or with counties acting jointly. HHSA, on behalf of the County, contracts with the State to serve as the Mental Health Plan (MHP) for the County. As the MHP, the County is required to provide various mental health services, including availability of psychiatrist services for treatment and medication. Such services may be provided in person or via other communications methods such as tele-health. “Tele-health” is the provision of Specialty Mental Health Services between a provider and the MHP’s clients via a secure video conferencing system.
The County has been unsuccessful in recruiting permanent part or full-time psychiatrists, most notably in the South Lake Tahoe Behavioral Health Clinic, despite long-term recruitment processes. LocumTenens.com has successfully provided supplemental psychiatrist staffing on an “as requested” basis since 2010. For this reason, HHSA has determined that services provided pursuant to this Agreement #2082 satisfy the criteria defined in Chapter 3.13, Section 3.13.030 of the County Ordinance in that the work performed under this Agreement is on an “as requested” basis, and that County has been unsuccessful in recruiting for the position of psychiatrist, particularly in the South Lake Tahoe basin; therefore it is more economical and feasible to engage an independent contractor to provide psychiatric treatment services.
Agreement for Services #162-S1511 with Locumtenens.com will automatically terminate upon final execution by both parties of Agreement for Services #2082.
ALTERNATIVES:
Disapproval of Agreement for Services #2082 will result in continued psychiatrist staffing challenges, potential diminished capacity to provide psychiatrist services for clients and potential for not meeting HHSA’s contractual obligation as the MHP for the County.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel, Human Resources, 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 2018/19 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 #2082.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to HHSA Contracts at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., M.P.A., Director