Apria Healthcare, Inc. has provided home healthcare services to the patients of San Mateo Medical Center for the last several years. In particular these services include durable medical equipment (DMEs) like walkers, wheelchairs, and hospital beds; respiratory products including nebulizers, continuous pressure airway devices (CPAP) and portable oxygen; and in-home health care services of wound care, dressings, and antibiotics. Patients treated at SMMC have a continuous need for such home healthcare services and Apria Healthcare, Inc. offers the hospital the benefits of an experienced provider familiar with the complex nature of the County’s patient base.
The contract to Apria had originally been awarded as vendor agreement B200003 by the Purchasing Division of San Mateo County for a maximum amount of $85,000 in 1999. The vendor agreement funding was exhausted in June 2003, and Apria was reimbursed under a confirming purchase order arrangement until the agreement expiry date of May 31, 2004. Three purchase orders totaling $40,514.15 were paid to Apria in addition to the $85,000 maximum vendor agreement amount, bringing the total reimbursement amount to $125,514.15 for this period.
Negotiation responsibilities for the Apria contract were transferred to the hospital in June 2004. Due to extended contract negotiations, new terms were not agreed upon until recently. Apria and the San Mateo Medical Center then engaged in an extended verification process period to reach a complete and comprehensive outstanding reimbursement balance.
San Mateo Medical Center was unable to reimburse Apria for expenses incurred during this period due to lack of a signed contract. This Agreement extends the contract start date to June 1, 2004 to enable Apria to be paid for services rendered from that date. San Mateo Medical Center is also requesting a waiver of the RFP process because Apria is one of the few area providers able to provide comprehensive in-home health care products and services. The contract amount also reflects an increase in pricing for certain products and an anticipated increase by SMMC of Apria’s services.
This Agreement incorporates current HIPAA language. An Equal Benefits Waiver has been approved by the County Manager. Risk Management and County Counsel have approved the Agreement.
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