All patients referred to Sequoia Health Services underwent utilization review to minimize hospital stays and maintain control over costs. Comprehensive per diem rates were negotiated as part of tertiary care contracts to account for patient transitions through each level of care, including intensive (ICU), telemetry (step down), stabilized (med/surg), observation, and eventual discharge.
The term of the Agreement with Sequoia was January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2005 with a maximum amount of $350,000. Additional referrals for radiation therapy, sleep study and cardiac specialty services depleted the maximum amount in the Agreement. The Agreement is being amended to increase the maximum amount by $25,000 to pay invoices for expenses incurred during those two months.
The contractor has assured compliance with the County's Contractor Employee Jury Service Ordinance, as well as all other contract provisions that are required by County ordinance and administrative memoranda, including but not limited to insurance, hold harmless, non-discrimination and equal benefits.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Agreement. Risk Management has approved the insurance coverage.
This amendment is only now being addressed due to staff vacancies in the two key contracting positions at the SMMC.
In February 2007, Sequoia Health Services notified SMMC that there were outstanding invoices that had not been paid from the prior Agreement. Invoices from Sequoia Health Services that were pending MediCal authorization arrived in December in the amount of not more than $25,000. An amendment to the contract is respectfully submitted to process this reimbursement.
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