COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Hospital and Clinics

DATE:

May 24, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 8, 2004

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Nancy J. Steiger, Chief Executive Officer

SUBJECT:

Agreement with Ear, Nose and Throat Medical Group of San Mateo County

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute an agreement with Ear, Nose and Throat Medical Group of San Mateo County

Background

San Mateo County is responsible for providing necessary medical care to its medically indigent population. This care includes professional ear, nose and throat medical services. Ear, Nose and Throat Medical Group of San Mateo County, provides professional ear, nose and throat services including the management and supervision of those services.

For the past four years, Ear, Nose and Throat Medical Group of San Mateo County has provided these services as a subcontractor to the Medical Associates of San Mateo County (MASMC).

Discussion

As of March 31, 2002, the San Mateo County Health Center no longer contracts with MASMC for orthopedic services. Ear, Nose and Throat Medical Group of San Mateo County will continue to provide the same level of services as in the previous MASMC agreement.

Orthopedic services are provided under the general direction of the Director of Hospital and Clinics. Monitoring and evaluation of the quality of services provided by contractor are accomplished through peer review by the Quality Assurance Committee and the Executive Committee of the medical staff.

The liquidated damages provision has been removed from the non-discrimination section of the agreement because contractor would not agree to this term, however, your Board has the ability to terminate the contract for acts of discrimination.

Vision Alignment

This agreement keeps the commitment to Ensure Basic Health and Safety for All and goal number 5: Provide residents access to healthcare and preventive care. The Agreement contributes to this commitment and goal by continuing to provide orthopedic services to county patients.

Fiscal Impact

The term of the agreement is for two years from April 1, 2002 through March 31, 2004. This agreement pays Ear, Nose and Throat Medical Group of San Mateo County a maximum amount of $264,241 over the term of the agreement. Funding for 2001-02 is included in the approved budget for Hospital and Clinics and will be included in future budget requests.