REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 12, 2024
FROM
WILLIAM L. GILBERT, Director, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Non-Financial Transfer Agreement with St. Mary Medical Center, LLC for the Transfer of Patients
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 1 to non-financial Transfer Agreement No. 23-1140 with St. Mary Medical Center, LLC to clarify that trauma care patients may be transferred to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, effective March 12, 2024, with no change to the agreement term of October 24, 2023 through October 23, 2028.
(Presenter: William L. Gilbert, 580-6150)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost) as the recommended amendment to Transfer Agreement No. 23-1140 (Agreement) is non-financial in nature. No funds will be exchanged between Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) and St. Mary Medical Center, LLC (St. Mary) under the Agreement. Each facility will be responsible for billing the applicable third-party insurers for the costs associated with the patient care provided at their respective facilities.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Approval of this amendment will clarify that under the Agreement, St. Mary is permitted to transfer patients requiring trauma care services from St. Mary to ARMC when such patients require a higher level of care that is available at ARMC.
On October 24, 2023 (Item No. 16), the Board of Supervisors approved the Agreement between the County and St. Mary to allow the transfer of patients for a higher level of care. The Board agenda item inadvertently indicated that it was a reciprocal transfer agreement, but is actually a one-way transfer agreement where only St. Mary may transfer their patients requiring a higher level of care to ARMC. It is not a reciprocal agreement because St. Mary does not offer a higher level of care not available at ARMC.
ARMC recommends approval of this amendment as it allows for the transfer of trauma patients to ARMC, which will provide for the safety, health and social services needs of county residents.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Charles Phan, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 28, 2024; ARMC Finance (Chen Wu, Finance and Budget Officer, 580-3165) on February 29, 2024; Finance (Jenny Yang, Administrative Analyst, 387-4884) on February 29, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on February 29, 2024.