COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Services Agency

DATE:

December 1, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

December 14, 2004

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene Silva, Director of Health Services

Nancy Steiger, C.E.O., San Mateo Medical Center

SUBJECT:

Amendment to the agreement with American Medical Response West for Medical and Non-Medical Transportation of Selected Patients

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute an amendment to the agreement with American Medical Response West extending the term of the contract for three months to provide medical and non-medical transportation of selected patients.

Background

In 1999 your Board approved an agreement with American Medical Response West (AMR) for medical and non-medical transportation of selected patients. The current term of this agreement is through December 31, 2004 with two, two-year extensions at the option of the County.

The services provided under this contract include clients of SMMC and Health Services, as these two departments were under one single department when this contract was executed. The two departments plan to have separate contracts with the Contractor beginning April 1, 2004.

Discussion

Health Services and SMMC will extend the contract for three months until they complete separate contracts with AMR. This contract includes the following transportation services:

• Interfacility transfer of San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) in-patients to other health care facilities,

• Persons on Welfare and Institutions Code 5150 for in-hospital psychiatric evaluation, and

• Mental health clients for court appearances.

Health Services is currently working with AMR and law enforcement to develop a new program that will provide assessment and transportation of persons exhibiting behavioral emergencies in the field setting. April 1, 2005 is the target date to implement this new program. This new program will be included in the contract that Health Services will submit to you for approval soon after the first of next year.

Vision Alignment

The agreement with AMR keeps the commitment to Ensure Basic Health and Safety for All and goal number 5.: Residents have access to healthcare and preventive care. The agreement contributes to this commitment and goal by assuring the provision of medical transportation when needed for patient care.

Fiscal Impact

The annual costs for non-emergency transport have been included in the FY 2004-2005 budgets for both Departments. $100,000 is in the budget for Mental Health and $68,000 is in the budget for the San Mateo Medical Center. The cost of this three month extension is $25,000 for Mental Health and $17,000 for San Mateo Medical Center. The amendment will not result in any new net county cost.