Pacific Footcare Podiatry Group, Inc. (PFPG) has provided podiatry surgery and clinic services to the San Mateo Medical Center since 2005. In particular this discipline serves as a basis for the diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle conditions, including heel spurs, hammertoes, bunions, general foot and ankle trauma, and chronic systemic disorders which commonly have associated foot problems. SMMC has a continuous need for podiatry services and PFPG offers the hospital the benefits of experienced practitioners familiar with the complex nature of the County patient base.
Contractor productivity is being measured by the current Medicare Resource-Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS) Relative Value Work Units (RVUs), an industry-wide measurement of medical care that indicates the level of quality standards being met by an individual practitioner.
DISCUSSION:
This Amendment is necessary to allow for continuation of service and payment of invoices while a new contract is being negotiated. There is no increase in the monthly rate payable.
This Amendment extends the agreement by four months for a new term of October 1, 2005 to January 31, 2008 and increases the amount by $29,944.08 from $179,664.50 to $209,608.58.
The Director of Payor and Provider Contracting is no longer with the County. A contractor has been brought in to help with the existing backlog of expired and soon to expire contracts.
Efforts to recruit staff with extensive healthcare contracting experience have been unsuccessful. New and amended contracts often require extended negotiations. The lack of adequate healthcare experience in the contracting unit has contributed to the delay in processing these contracts. SMMC, through contracted staff, is making every effort to rectify this situation. It is necessary and practical to use contract staff until a suitable experienced healthcare contracting person can be hired.
County Counsel has approved the Agreement.
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