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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
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Health Department
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DATE:
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September 14, 2007
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BOARD MEETING DATE:
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September 25, 2007
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SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:
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None
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VOTE REQUIRED:
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Majority
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TO:
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Honorable Board of Supervisors
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FROM:
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Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department
Mary J. Hansell, Director, Family Health Services
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SUBJECT:
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Agreements with Discharge Resource Group and Pediatric Contracting Services for Pediatric Therapy Services
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RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a Resolution authorizing the execution of Agreements with Discharge Resource Group (DRG) for the term of July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2010, and Pediatric Contracting Services (PCS) for the term of October 1, 2007 through June 30, 2010, to provide pediatric occupational and physical therapy services in the collective amount of $748,800.
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VISION ALIGNMENT:
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Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.
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Goals 5 and 8: Residents have access to healthcare and preventive care; help vulnerable people – the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others – achieve a better quality of life.
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These Agreements contribute to this commitment and these goals by providing physical and occupational therapy services to children with disabilities from birth to age 21.
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Measure
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FY 2006-07
Actual
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FY 2007-08
Projected
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Number of patients on wait list
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100
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80
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BACKGROUND:
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The Medical Therapy Unit (MTU) of California Children’s Services (CCS) provides direct physical and occupational therapy services to children with severe disabilities. This state-mandated program has eligibility requirements for medical conditions. When those conditions are met, it is the responsibility of the Health Department to provide appropriate therapy services to the children.
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Over the years, the CCS/MTU has periodically encountered sudden increases in the number of referrals, as well as short term staffing shortages for a variety of reasons. These circumstances have led to children being forced to wait for therapy services. Delays in treatment have the potential to seriously interfere with a child's ability to gain maximum functional independence during critical developmental years.
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State guidelines allow CCS to contract for services when there is a proven shortage of therapy staff. Contracts with staffing agencies are necessary to ensure clients receive timely treatment when caseloads fluctuate and/or during staff absences. CCS has contracted with both DRG and PCS for these services in the past.
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DISCUSSION:
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A Request for Proposals was recently conducted to identify staffing agencies that are able to provide appropriate services. Discharge Resource Group and Pediatric Contracting Services were identified as organizations that met the requisite criteria. Contracts with both agencies have been developed in order to have a broader selection of contract therapists available when services are necessary.
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Both contractors have 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.
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Both contracts have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel and Risk Management.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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The term of the Agreement with DRG is July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2010, and the term of the Agreement with PCS is October 1, 2007 through June 30, 2010. The maximum the County shall be obligated to pay collectively for these Agreements for the three-year period shall not exceed $748,800. The cost of these contracts is reimbursed 50% by the State CCS Program and the remaining 50% is Net County Cost. The maximum dollar amount for the previous contract, covering a similar period, for provision of contract therapy services was $678,000 ($339,000 Net County Cost). The increase results from an increase in the hourly rate of the contracted therapists for the Agreement terms, from $56.10 for DRG and $58 for PCS, to $60.00 for both. The total amount budgeted for both contracts for FY 2007-08 is $160,000. The revenue and expenditures are included in the Family Health Services tentatively Adopted FY 2007-08 Budget. The balance will be included in future budget requests.
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