MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.1
THIS MANAGEMENT SERVICES
AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is
entered into as of April 12, 2008 ("Commencement Date")
by and between MJM BUSINESS
ENTERPRISES, INC., a Florida corporation ("Manager"), with its
principal place of business at 0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxx., Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx
00000 and PRIMACARE HEALTH
SERVICES, INC., a Florida corporation ("Company"), with its
principal place of business at 0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx 0, Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx
00000.
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, Company was formed to
provide physician practice management services to Medical Resources, LLC, a
Florida limited liability company, and a provider of medical services (the
"Practice");
WHEREAS, Manager is in the
business of providing health care management consulting services to medical
organizations and physician practices; and
WHEREAS, Company seeks
assistance in managing its business operations and the non-medical activities of
the Practice and Manager agrees to provide Services (as defined herein) upon the
terms and conditions further set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the premises, the mutual covenants and promises hereafter set
forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby contract and agree
as follows:
ARTICLE
I
MANAGER'S
DUTIES
1.1
|
Scope
of Authority.
Company hereby engages Manager to provide advice and
assistance in the management of its business operations, specifically
including the performance of services to the Practice as further detailed
in Sections 1.1
through 1.9 herein
(“Services”). The
Services to be performed by Manager may change at the direction of the
officers and directors of the Company. Manager shall render all
Services efficiently, in a good and faithful manner, in conformity with
industry and association standards, and in accordance with all applicable
laws, rules and regulations. Manager shall perform its Services in a
manner reasonably appropriate and necessary to meet the day-to-day
requirements of the business operations of Company and
Practice. Manager and Company acknowledge and agree that
Manager shall undertake its performance of Services with autonomy and that
Manager shall provide its analyses, findings, suggestions and
recommendations directly to the President of the Company who has been
authorized, empowered and directed by the board of directors of the
Company to promptly make improvements in the business operations of the
Company with advice from Manager. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Manager
and all of its officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives
are advisors only and shall not have any ultimate authority to make any
decision or to take any action without approval of the appropriate officer
or Board. Neither Manager nor any of its officers, directors,
employees, representatives or agents shall perform any licensed medical
services as a part of the delivery of Services pursuant to this
Agreement.
|
1.2
|
Billing
and Collection. Manager agrees to provide advice and
assistance to Company management in managing medical
billing operations. The Practice shall have the sole responsibility for
rendering medical services and properly recording and coding services for
the preparation of billing statements. Manager shall assist Company in
managing the handling, processing and support of invoices to improve
collection practices.
|
1
1.3
|
Staffing.Manager
shall provide advice and assistance to Company management in handling
professional and non-professional staffing and human resources matters for
Practice and Company.
|
1.4
|
Advertising
and Marketing. Manager shall provide advice and assistance to
Company management in advertising and marketing services for the Practice
and Company. During the term of this Agreement, Company grants to Manager
a revocable, non-assignable and nonexclusive worldwide license to use the
Company's name and other service and trademarks (collectively the "Xxxx") solely
in connection with the performance of this Agreement, subject to any
conditions imposed by any third party that transfers or licenses the Xxxx
to Company, and further subject to the following
conditions:
|
|
(A)
|
Permitted Uses. The
license to use the Xxxx granted by this Agreement (the "License") may
be exercised only for the purposes contemplated by this
Agreement.
|
|
(B)
|
Prohibited Use. Manager
shall not do anything which derogates the ownership of, infringes upon or
diminishes the value of the Xxxx. This Section shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.
|
|
(C)
|
Term and Termination.
The License shall remain in effect until the expiration or
termination of this Agreement. Upon termination of this Agreement for any
reason, Manager agrees to immediately discontinue use of the Xxxx in any
form (including related logos) and promptly return to Company any and all
artwork, designs, materials or other property related to the
Xxxx.
|
|
(D)
|
No Transfer or
Assignment. Company shall not transfer or sublicense the Xxxx,
assign or transfer the License or contract, create, incur, assume or allow
existing any claim, mortgage, lien, security interest or other charge or
encumbrance with respect to the Xxxx or
License.
|
1.5
|
Financial
Reporting. Manager shall provide advice and assistance to Company
management concerning the financial reporting and the preparation of
statements of financial information for Practice and Company. Company
shall be solely responsible for coordinating and overseeing the regular
financial review and/or audit of Company and/or Practice financials by an
independent accounting firm and approving all financial
disclosures. Manager shall not be required to prepare any
financial reports or statements or projections for public disclosure for
any purpose.
|
1.6
|
Administrative.
Manager
shall provide advice and assistance to Company management concerning
administrative activities including, but not limited to all clerical,
accounting, bookkeeping, computer and information services, payroll,
printing, postage and duplication services, medical transcribing services
and any other ordinary, necessary or appropriate service for the operation
of the Company and Practice.
|
1.8
|
Risk
Management. Manager
shall provide advice and assistance to Company regarding risks posed by
the performance of the business operations of the Practice and Company,
and shall assistance in negotiating rates and payments with respect to all
forms of insurance reasonably required for the business operations of the
Practice and Company. The amounts and types of insurance coverage to be
carried by the Company and/or Practice shall be approved by the officers
and directors of Company.
|
1.9
|
Quality
Assurance. Manager
shall provide advice and assistance to Company in evaluating, developing
and maintaining the rendering of high quality professional medical
services by Practice to its patient
base.
|
2
1.10
|
Non-Solicitation.
During
the term of this Agreement and for a period of two (2) years following
such termination, Manager shall not, without the prior written consent of
Company, employ, hire or contract for services with any employee or former
employee of Company, nor shall Manager solicit any such person to leave
the employ of Company. For the purposes of this section,
"former employee" shall include any person who was employed by Company
within eighteen (18) months prior to the termination or expiration of this
Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this provision shall
specifically except any officer, director, employee, representative or
agent of Manager or any of its affiliates, whose employment initially
originated with Manager or its affiliates and who may now or in the future
directly or indirectly provide services to the Company pursuant to this
Agreement.
|
1.11
|
Non-Competition.
During
the term of this Agreement and for a period of two (2) years following
such termination, Manager, and its physicians then subject to the
restrictive covenants under the applicable employment agreement with
Manager, shall not engage in the provision of professional services that
consist of medical services to patients, within the geographic area
defined as follows: a radius of five (5) miles from any clinic managed or
operated by Company or its affiliates as of the date of termination of
this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this provision shall
specifically except any officer, director, employee, representative or
agent of Manager or its affiliates, whose employment
initially originated with Manager or its affiliates, who may now or in the
future directly or indirectly provide services to the Company pursuant to
this Agreement.
|
1.12
|
Covenants.
The
covenants of Manager set forth in Sections 1.10 and 1.11 are separate and
independent covenants for which valuable consideration has been paid by
Company, the receipt, adequacy and sufficiency of which are acknowledged
by Manager. Such covenants have been made to induce Company to enter into
this Agreement, have been negotiated in good faith on an arms-length basis
without undue influence, and do not significantly prevent Manager and its
professional employees from engaging in the medical practice or limit
their ability to earn a satisfactory income. It is acknowledged
and agreed that Company's remedy at law for any breach or attempted breach
of such covenants would be inadequate and that Company shall be entitled
to specific performance, injunction or other equitable relief in the event
of any such breach or a tempted breach, in addition to any other remedies
which might be available at law or in equity. In the event that the
duration, scope or geographic area contemplated by such covenants are
determined to be unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the
parties agree that such duration, scope or geographic area shall be deemed
to be reduced to the greatest scope, duration or geographic area which
would be enforceable.
|
1.13
|
Confidentiality
of Records. Manager
shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and
regulations relating to the records of the Practice and
Company. Any information obtained by Manager pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement shall be kept confidential; provided,
however, that, subject to Article IX of this Agreement, applicable law
(specifically including but not limited to the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. 42 U.S.C. §1320(d) (“HIPAA”))
and except for PHI (as defined in Article IX of this
Agreement) and proprietary information of the Practice, Manager may
disclose such information (i) within Manager’s organization for internal
purposes only, (ii) to its legal counsel and accountants, (iii) as
required in Manager’s credit relationships, and (iv) as required by law,
or by requirements of managed care contracts and other third-party payor,
or order of a court of competent jurisdiction. Manager shall
not utilize such information for any purpose other than to substantiate
its activities hereunder or to defend claims against Manager arising out
of such activities.
|
1.14
|
Control
of Operations. Manager shall only have that authority to
perform those duties as expressly detailed in this
Agreement. Company shall at all times govern and exercise
ultimate control over the Company and the delivery of Services to Company
and Practice. The parties acknowledge and agree that various
aspects of the performance of Services hereunder shall be performed by
third party subcontractors who may, with the approval of a Company
officer, be hired and report to Manager, but whose authority shall be no
greater than the authority of
Manager.
|
3
ARTICLE
II
COMPANY
RESPONSIBILITIES
2.1
|
Confidentiality. Company
shall abide by all of the provisions of confidentiality set forth in this
Agreement, including any
attachments.
|
2.2
|
IT
Equipment and Services Company and any authorized licensees and/or
subcontractors shall use the information technology (“IT”) equipment and
services for the Practice and Company, and shall comply with the terms of
any lease agreement covering such equipment and with all applicable local
rules, ordinances and all standards of professional
care.
|
2.3
|
Provision
of Services. Practice shall be wholly responsible for providing
professional medical services and for patient care. Company shall help
Practice ensure that each professional employee is duly licensed and at
all times meets all other regulatory and legal requirements and
qualifications to enable such professional employee to work at the Company
and to perform the professional services as assigned. Practice shall be
solely and exclusively in control of all aspects of the practice of
medicine and the delivery of professional services to
patients. The rendition of all services and the supervision of
all personnel rendering professional services on behalf of the Company and
Practice shall be the sole and exclusive responsibility of Practice and
Company.
|
2.5
|
Professional
Standards. Company shall ensure that all services provided by
Practice and Company are delivered in accordance with the generally
accepted professional standards for the practice of medicine in the
community and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and
rules of professional conduct. To the extent is it appropriate, Manager
shall assist and cooperate with Company in taking steps to
resolve any utilization review or quality assurance issues or claims of
professional negligence or misconduct which may arise in connection with
Company or Practice activities.
|
2.6
|
Independent
Contractor Relationship. Company and Manager are independent
contracting parties. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to
create a relationship of principal and agent, employer and employee,
partners or joint venturers. Neither party shall have any
right, power or authority to act for or enter into binding agreements on
behalf of the other party unless expressly authorized in this Agreement or
in writing by an officer of the authorizing party. Company
shall have no claim under this Agreement or otherwise against Manager for
workers compensation, unemployment compensation, sick leave, vacation pay,
retirement benefits, Social Security benefits, or any other employee
benefits related to Company’s business operations. Neither Manager nor its
employees shall have any claim under this Agreement or otherwise against
Company for workers compensation, unemployment compensation, sick leave,
vacation pay, retirement benefits, Social Security benefits, or any other
employee benefits related to Manager’s business operations. Company
acknowledges that Manager has no other duties, obligations or liabilities
to Company except as expressly provided in this
Agreement.
|
2.7
|
Non-Solicitation.
During
the term of this Agreement and for a period of two (2) years following
such termination, Company shall not, without the prior written consent of
Manager, employ, hire or contract for services with any employee or former
employee of Manager, nor shall Company solicit any such person to leave
the employ of Manager. For the purposes of this section,
"former employee" shall include any person who was employed by Manager
within eighteen (18) months prior to the termination or expiration of this
Agreement.
|
2.8
|
Non-Competition.
During
the term of this Agreement and for a period of two (2) years following
such termination, Company, and its physicians then subject to the
restrictive covenants under the applicable employment agreement with
Manager, shall not engage in the provision of professional services that
consist of medical services to patients, within the geographic area
defined as follows: a radius of five (5) miles from any clinic managed or
operated by Manager as of the date of termination of this
Agreement.
|
2.9
|
Covenants.
The
covenants of Company set forth in Sections 2.7 and 2.8 are separate and
independent covenants for which valuable consideration has been paid by
Manager, the receipt, adequacy and sufficiency of which are acknowledged
by Company. Such covenants have been made to induce Manager to enter into
this Agreement, have been negotiated in good faith on an arms-length basis
without undue influence, are responsible and do not significantly prevent
Company and its professional employees from engaging in the medical
practice or limit their ability to earn a satisfactory income. It is
acknowledged and agreed that Manager's remedy at law for any breach or
attempted breach of such covenants would be inadequate and that Manager
shall be entitled to specific performance, injunction or other equitable
relief in the event of any such breach or a tempted breach, in addition to
any other remedies which might be available at law or in equity. In the
event that the duration, scope or geographic area contemplated by such
covenants are determined to be unenforceable by a court of competent
jurisdiction, the parties agree that such duration, scope or geographic
area shall be deemed to be reduced to the greatest scope, duration or
geographic area which would be
enforceable.
|
2.10
|
Control
of Operations. Company shall at all times govern and
exercise ultimate control over the Company and Practice and the activities
of Manager and any related party providing Services pursuant to this
Agreement.
|
4
ARTICLE
III
MANAGEMENT
FEE
3.1
|
Management
Fee. Company and Manager acknowledge that Manager shall incur
substantial costs and expenses in providing the Manager's duties. In
consideration for the provision of the Manager's duties, Company agrees to
pay to Manager a monthly service fee ("Management
Fee") as further described and set forth in Attachment “A” (“Attachment
A”).
|
3.2
|
Unconditional
Payment of Management Fees. Management Fees shall be payable by
Company without regard to the amount of professional fees charged by
Company or whether such fees are actually
collected.
|
3.3
|
Payment
of Management Fees. Manager shall submit a monthly invoice to
Company for payment of the Management Fee. Such Management Fee shall be
paid by the twentieth (20) day of each
month.
|
3.4
|
Books
and Records. Manager
is entitled to access to the records of Company, including patient records
on a confidential basis at any time, including during the term of this
Agreement and for a reasonable period thereafter. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Manager shall have access to the patient records in the event
it is named in any claim, litigation, arbitration or other legal
proceeding involving one or more patients at any
time.
|
3.5
|
No
Patient Referrals. The parties agree that the benefits
to the Company hereunder do not require, are not payment for, and are not
in any way contingent upon the admission, referral, or any other
arrangement for the provision of any item or services offered by Manager,
or any affiliate of Manager to the patients of the Practice in any
facility or medical practice managed or operated by Manager or any such
affiliate. The parties to this Agreement agree that no payments
made hereunder are made in return for, or to induce any person
to:
|
|
(a)
|
refer
an individual to anyone for the furnishing or arranging for the furnishing
of items or services for which payment may be made in whole or in part
under any federally funded healthcare program, including the Medicare and
Medicaid programs, or
|
|
(b)
|
purchase,
lease, order, or arrange for or recommend purchasing, leasing, or ordering
any good, facility, service, or item for which payment may be made in
whole or in part under any federally funded healthcare program, including
the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
|
ARTICLE
IV
ACCOUNTS
RECEIVABLE
4.1
|
Deposit
of Practice Revenue. Company shall deposit all Practice
revenue collected on behalf of Company in an account in the name of
Company at a bank acceptable to Company (the "Holding
Account"). Company, on behalf of itself and each of its physicians,
agrees that any amounts received on or after the Commencement Date with
respect to any accounts receivable or Practice revenue shall be deposited,
in the form received, in the Holding Account immediately upon receipt by
Company or any physician. Company, on behalf of itself and each of its
physicians shall ensure that all third parties make payments of accounts
receivable and Practice revenue directly to the Holding
Account. Company agrees to execute and deliver from time to
time and at any time all such documents and instruments as may reasonably
be required by Manager to effectuate the foregoing provisions in this
Article 4 and to extend or amend such documents and instruments as may be
required from time to time.
|
5
ARTICLE
V
TERM AND
TERMINATION
5.1
|
Term. The
initial term of this Agreement shall be for one (1) year, commencing on
Commencement Date and ending on April 1, 2009 ("Term"). Following
the Term, this Agreement shall renew for like terms unless a party gives
the other party written notice of termination at least ninety (120) days
before the expiration of the current
term.
|
5.2
|
Termination
for Breach. This
Agreement may be terminated prior to its expiration in the event of a
material breach (other than those events described in Section 5.3 below) of
this Agreement by a party. In such event, a party shall have the right to
terminate this Agreement upon written notice stating the effective date of
the termination if it (a) gives the breaching party written notice
describing specifically the breach and the acts necessary to cure the
breach, and (b) thirty (30) days have elapsed and such breach has not been
cured.
|
5.3
|
Termination
Due to Event. This
Agreement may be terminated by a party upon written notice to the other
party stating the effective date of the termination upon the occurrence of
any of the following events:
|
(A) | Appointment of a receiver or trustee to manage a party's assets. | |
(B) | Assignment of a party's assets for the benefit of creditors. | |
|
(C)
|
Filing
of any petition in a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding in respect to a
party.
|
|
(D)
|
Any
act or omission which results in the termination of a party's professional
liability insurance coverage.
|
|
(E)
|
Commencement
of any investigation which could lead to the revocation, suspension or
probation of the professionals' license in
Florida.
|
|
(F)
|
Cessation
of business operations substantially as they are conducted by Company or
Manager.
|
|
(G)
|
Any
state or federal investigation, indictment or conviction against the
Company, the Manager or any employee, professional or independent
contractor of either party; or
|
|
(H)
|
A
change in the control of Manager.
|
The party
in respect to whom the event occurred shall give notice to the other party
immediately of the occurrence of the event.
5.4
|
Termination
Without Cause. Either party may terminate this Agreement without
cause upon thirty (120) days' written notice to the other
party.
|
5.5
|
Effect
of Termination. Upon the termination of this Agreement for any
reason, all rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement
shall cease except:
|
(A) Rights
and obligations that have accrued as of the date of termination;
(B) Rights
and obligations that expressly survive termination; and
|
(C)
|
Any
available right or remedy of either party against the other party for
breach of this Agreement.
|
5.6
|
Legislative.
Regulatory or Administrative Change. In the event there shall be a
change in the Medicare or Medicaid statutes, state statutes, case laws,
regulations or general instructions, the interpretation of any of the
foregoing, the adoption of new federal or State legislation, or a change
in any third party reimbursement system, any of which are reasonably
likely to materially and adversely affect the manner in which either party
may perform or be compensated for its Services under this Agreement or
which shall make this Agreement unlawful, the parties shall immediately
enter into good faith negotiations regarding a new service arrangement or
basis for compensation for the services furnished pursuant to this
Agreement that complies with the law, regulation or policy and that
approximates as closely as possible the economic position of the parties
prior to the change. If the parties cannot come to an agreement
on modifications to the Agreement to remedy the void or unenforceable
term, either party may terminate this Agreement upon thirty (30) days'
written notice to the other party.
|
5.8
|
Return
and Use of Proprietary Information. Upon
termination of this Agreement, each party shall deliver to the other party
all materials, property, documents, data, and other information which
constitutes Proprietary Information within five (5) days of notice. This
Section shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
|
6
ARTICLE
VI
INSURANCE
6.1
|
Professional
Liability Insurance. Company shall ensure that any professional
employee providing services described in this Agreement on behalf of the
Company shall maintain throughout the term of this Agreement, a policy or
policies of professional liability insurance covering Company and any
professional employee against any claim for damages arising directly or
indirectly by any act or omission of Company or any professional employee
in the course of the medical practice. Such policy or policies shall cover
personal injury, bodily injury and death with limits of liability of at
least $250,000.00 per claimant and $750,000.00 annual aggregate. Such
insurance will be underwritten by a company authorized in good standing
authorized to transact the insurance business in Florida. Company shall
use its best efforts to arrange with its insurer to name Manager as an
additional insured and provide at least twenty (20) days notice of any
termination, cancellation, revocation or limitation of such coverage. If
the insurance is written on a claims made basis, the carrier must
guarantee tail coverage at the time the primary insurance policy is
written, and Company or the physician must purchase and maintain such tail
coverage upon the termination of its coverage for the maximum reporting
period available. Alternatively, Company or any physician may purchase
"nose" coverage if approved in writing by Manager. If necessary, such
insurance will provide for a retroactive date of placement coincidental
with the effective date of the Agreement. Within ten (10) days of the
effective date of the Agreement, Company will supply Manager with a
certificate of insurance confirming the coverage described in this
paragraph and containing an undertaking by the carrier to notify Manager
at least thirty (30) days before coverage is reduced or canceled, the
deductible is increased, or any term or condition of coverage is
materially modified. Company shall notify Manager in writing of any
reduction or cancellation, increase of deductible or material modification
of any term or condition of Company's insurance coverage within
twenty-four (24) hours of receipt. This Section will survive the
termination or expiration of the
Agreement.
|
6.2
|
Comprehensive
General Liability Insurance. Manager shall obtain and maintain
during the term of this Agreement reasonable amounts of comprehensive
general liability and workers' compensation insurance with an insurance
carrier or insurance carriers admitted to transact the insurance business
in Florida. Manager shall ensure that any professional employee providing
services described in this Agreement on behalf of the Company shall
maintain throughout the term of this Agreement, a policy or policies of
professional liability insurance covering Company and any professional
employee against any claim for damages arising directly or indirectly by
any act or omission of Company or any professional employee in the course
of the medical practice. Such policy or policies shall cover personal
injury, bodily injury and death with limits of liability of at least
$250,000.00 per claimant and $750,000.00 annual aggregate. Such insurance
will be underwritten by a company authorized in good standing authorized
to transact the insurance business in Florida. Manager shall use its best
efforts to arrange with its insurer to name Company as an additional
insured and provide at least twenty (20) days notice of any termination,
cancellation, revocation or limitation of such coverage. If the insurance
is written on a claims made basis, the carrier must guarantee tail
coverage at the time the primary insurance policy is written, and Manager
or the physician must purchase and maintain such tail coverage upon the
termination of its coverage for the maximum reporting period available.
Alternatively, Manager or any physician may purchase "nose" coverage if
approved in writing by Company. If necessary, such insurance
will provide for a retroactive date of placement coincidental with the
effective date of the Agreement. Within ten (10) days of the effective
date of the Agreement, Manager will supply Company with certificates of
insurance confirming the coverages described in this paragraph and
containing an undertaking by the carrier to notify Company at least thirty
(30) days before coverages are reduced or canceled, the deductibles are
increased, or any terms or conditions of coverages is materially modified.
Manager shall notify Company in writing of any reduction or cancellation,
increase of deductible or material modification of any terms or conditions
of Manager's insurance coverages within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt.
This Section will survive the termination or expiration of the
Agreement.
|
7
ARTICLE
VII
INDEMNIFICATION
7.1
|
Indemnification
of Manager. Company
shall indemnify and hold harmless Manager, its officers, directors,
shareholders, agents and independent contractors from and against any and
all damages, liabilities, actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands,
losses, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) caused
or asserted to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by or as a result
of the performance of medical services or any other acts or omissions by
Company and/or its officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives
and/or subcontractors (other than Manager) during the term of this
Agreement. Such indemnity shall be extinguished four years from the
termination date of this
Agreement.
|
7.2
|
Indemnification
of Company. Manager
shall indemnify and hold harmless Company from and against any and all
damages, liabilities, actions, suits, proceedings, claims demands, losses,
costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) caused or
asserted to have been caused, directly or indirectly, or as a result of
the Manager's negligent performance of its duties hereunder. Such
indemnity shall be extinguished four years from the termination date of
this Agreement.
|
ARTICLE
VIII
RECORDS
8.1
|
Patient
Records.
|
Upon
termination of this Agreement, the patient records shall belong to the
Company and Manager shall not maintain any copies of such patient
records.
|
8.2
|
Records
Owned by the Company. All records other than patient
records, relating in any way to the operation of the Practice, shall at
all times be the property of the
Company.
|
8.3
|
Access
to Records. During
the term of this Agreement, and for two (2) years thereafter, Company or
its designee shall have reasonable access during normal business hours to
Manager's financial records, including, but not limited to, records of
collections, expenses and disbursements as kept by Manager in performing
Manager's obligations under this Agreement. During the term of
this Agreement, and for two (2) years thereafter, Manager shall have
access to the financial and medical records of Company and Manager and its
agents and representatives shall be permitted to inspect and copy such
records; provided that any such inspection shall be permitted only to the
extent permitted by applicable law and shall not unreasonably interrupt
the operation of Company. Manager hereby agrees to preserve the
confidentiality of all medical records, financial and accounting records
and to use the information in such records only for limited purposes
necessary to perform its obligations hereunder. Each of the
parties shall require its employees and other representatives to keep all
medical records confidential, as well as any financial, statistical,
personnel and patient information relating to Company or its
patients.
|
ARTICLE
IV
USE AND DISCLOSURE OF
PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION
|
9.1Acknowledgment
of HIPAA Obligations and Other Regulations Implementing HIPAA.The
parties acknowledge that federal regulations relating to the
confidentiality of individually identifiable health information require
covered entities to comply with the privacy standards adopted by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services as they may be amended from time
to time, 65 Fed. Reg. 82462-82829 (December 28, 2000) (“Privacy
Standards”). The Privacy Standards require a “Covered
Entity” (as defined in the Privacy Standards) to ensure that a “Business
Associate” (as defined in the Privacy Standards) who receives confidential
information in the course of providing services on behalf of a Covered
Entity comply with certain obligations regarding the confidentiality of
health information.
|
9.2
|
Purposes
for which PHI May be Used or Disclosed. In connection
with the services provided by Manager on behalf of the Company pursuant to
this Agreement, the Company may use, disclose, or permit access to
protected health information (“PHI”), as
defined in the Privacy Regulations, to Manager in order to permit Manager
to provide the management services contemplated by this
Agreement.
|
9.3
|
Manager
Obligations. Manager agrees to comply with applicable
federal and state confidentiality and security laws, including, but not
limited to the Privacy Standards published by the United States Department
of Health and Human Services implementing Part C of HIPAA, including
without limitation:
|
|
(A)
|
Use of
PHI. Manager shall not use PHI except as necessary to
fulfill the purposes of this Agreement. Manager is permitted to
use and disclose PHI as necessary for the proper management and
administration of the Practice or to carry out its legal responsibilities
and its responsibilities under this Agreement. However, Manager
shall in such case:
|
(i) provide
training to members of its workforce regarding the confidentiality requirements
in the Privacy Standards and this Agreement;
(ii) obtain
reasonable assurances from the person or entity to whom the information is
disclosed that it will be held confidential and further used and disclosed only
as required by law or for the purpose for which it was disclosed to the person
or entity;
(iii) agree
to notify the Company of any instances of which it is aware in which the PHI is
used or disclosed for a purpose that is not otherwise provided for in this
Agreement or for a purpose not expressly permitted by the Privacy Standards;
and
(iv) ensure
that all disclosures of PHI are subject to the principle of “minimum necessary
use and disclosure,” i.e., only PHI that is the minimum necessary to accomplish
the intended purpose of the use, disclosure, or request may be
disclosed
8
|
(B)
|
Disclosure to Third
Parties. If Manager discloses PHI received from the
Company, or created or received by Manager on behalf of the Company, to
agents, including a subcontractor, Manager shall require the agent to
agree to the same restrictions and conditions that apply to the Manager
under this Agreement. Manager shall be fully liable to the
Company for any acts, failures or omissions of the agent in providing the
services as if they were Manager’s own acts, failures or omissions, to the
extent permitted by law. Manager further expressly warrants
that its agents will be specifically advised of, and will comply in all
respects with, the terms of this Article
IX.
|
|
(C)
|
De-Identified
Information. Use and disclosure of de-identified health
information is permitted, but only if (i) the precise use is disclosed to
Company and permitted by Company in its sole discretion, and (ii) the
de-identification is in compliance with 45 CFR §164.502(d), and any such
de-identified health information meets the standard and implementation
specifications for de-identification under 45 CFR §164.514(a) and (b), or
such regulations as they may be amended from time to
time.
|
|
(D)
|
Notice of Privacy
Practices. Manager agrees that it will abide by the
limitations of any Notice of Privacy Practices (“Notice”)
published by the Company of which it has knowledge. The Company
shall provide to Manager such Notice when it is adopted. Any
use or disclosure permitted by this Agreement may be amended by such
Notice. The amended Notice shall not affect permitted uses and
disclosures on which Manager relied prior to such
Notice.
|
|
(E)
|
Withdrawal of Consent
or Authorization. If the use or disclosure of PHI in
this Agreement is based upon an individual’s specific consent or
authorization for the use of his or her PHI, and the individual revokes
such consent or authorization in writing, or the effective date of such
authorization has expired, or the consent or authorization is found to be
defective in any manner that renders it invalid, Manager agrees, if it has
notice of such revocation or invalidity, to cease the use and disclosure
of any such individual’s PHI except to the extent it has relied on such
use or disclosure, or where an exception under the Privacy Standards
expressly applies.
|
|
(F)
|
Use or Disclosure that
Would Violate HIPAA. Manager is prohibited from further
use or disclosure of PHI in a manner that would violate the requirements
of the Privacy Standards if the PHI were used or disclosed by the
Practice.
|
|
(G)
|
Safeguards. Manager
is required to maintain appropriate safeguards to ensure that PHI is not
used or disclosed other than as provided by this Agreement or as required
by law.
|
|
(H)
|
Records
Management. Upon termination of this Agreement, Manager
agrees to return or destroy all PHI received from the Company that Manager
maintains in any form and shall comply with federal and state laws as they
may be amended from time to time governing the maintenance or retention of
PHI. If the return or destruction of PHI is not feasible,
Manager agrees to extend the protections of this Agreement to the
information and limit further uses and disclosures to those purposes that
make the return or destruction of the information
infeasible.
|
|
(I)
|
Accounting of
Disclosures. Manager agrees to make available to the
Company and the individual from whom the PHI originated, information
required for an accounting of disclosures of PHI with respect to the
individual, in accordance with 45 CFR §164.528 as it may be amended from
time to time, and incorporating exceptions to such accounting designated
under the regulation. Such accounting is limited to disclosures
that were made in the six (6) years prior to the request (not including
any disclosures prior to the compliance date of the Privacy
Standards).
|
(i) The
Company is required to take action on such requests as soon as possible but not
later than sixty (60) days following receipt of the request. Manager
agrees to use its best efforts to assist the Practice in meeting this
deadline.
(ii) Such
accounting must be provided without cost to the individual or the Company if it
is the first accounting requested by an individual within any twelve (12) month
period; however, a reasonable, cost-based fee may be charged for subsequent
accountings if Manager informs the individual in advance of the fee and is
afforded an opportunity to withdraw or modify the request.
(iii) Such
accounting shall be provided as long as the Manager maintains the
PHI.
9.4
|
Internal
Practices, Books, and Records. Manager shall make
available its internal practices, books, and records relating to the use
and disclosure of PHI received from, created, or received by Manager on
behalf of the Company to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
or its agents for the purpose of determining the Company’s compliance with
the Privacy Standards, or any other health oversight agency, or to the
Practice.
|
9.5
|
Rights
of Proprietary Information. The Company retains any and
all rights to proprietary information, confidential information, and PHI
it releases to Manager.
|
9.6
|
Termination
for Breach. Without limiting the termination provisions
herein, if Manager breaches any provision in this Article IX, the Company
may, at its option, access and audit the records of Manager related to its
use and disclosure of PHI, require Manager to submit to monitoring and
reporting, and such other conditions as the Practice may determine is
necessary to ensure compliance with this Article
IX. In addition, the Company may immediately terminate
this Agreement on a date specified by the Company in a written notice of
termination to Manager.
|
9.7
|
Survival
of Key Provisions. The provisions of this Article IX shall survive
the termination of this Agreement.
|
9
ARTICLE
X
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
10.1
|
Amendments.
This Agreement may be modified only by a written amendment signed by the
parties.
|
10.2
|
Confidentiality
of Agreement. Neither
party shall disclose this Agreement or its terms to a third party without
prior written consent of an officer of the other party except as provided
in this Agreement, as necessary to enforce this Agreement or as otherwise
required by law.
|
10.3
|
Gender
and Number. The masculine, feminine or neutral gender
and the singular or plural number shall be deemed to include the others
whenever the context so indicates.
|
10.4
|
Governing
Law. The validity, construction and performance of this
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida without
giving effect to conflicts of law principles. Any action to
interpret or enforce the provisions of this Agreement shall occur in a
court of competent jurisdiction in Broward County.
Florida.
|
10.5
|
Third
Party Beneficiaries. Except
for Practice, a direct and intended corporate beneficiary of the Services
delivered by Manager for and on behalf of Practice to Company, no patient
of Practice nor any other third party is intended to be a third party
beneficiary of this Agreement. In the event Company shall fail to pay any
obligation when due to Manager resulting from the failure of Practice to
pay Company for services delivered hereunder, Company hereby agrees that
there is privity of contract and Manager shall be permitted to exercise
all rights held by Company to directly demand an accounting and to receive
payment from Practice for sums due. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this
right shall be one-way and Company shall defend, indemnify and hold
harmless Manager from and against any claim or causes of action by
Practice or any other third party for Services rendered hereunder (except
as Company might bring such claims against Manager). Otherwise, no action
may be brought by any person who is not a party to this
Agreement.
|
10.6
|
No
Fiduciary Relationship. The
parties acknowledge that Manager, in the performance of this Agreement or
otherwise, does not have a fiduciary relationship with Company and is not
acting as a trustee, as an attorney-in-fact or in any other fiduciary
capacity or in another capacity than an independent contractor pursuant to
the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
|
10.7
|
Assignment
and Delegation. Neither party may assign or transfer its rights, or
delegate its duties or obligations, under this Agreement without the prior
written consent of the other party. The parties hereto expressly reserve
the right for Manager to subcontract some or all of the Services hereunder
to third party providers with the approval of
Company.
|
10.8
|
Notification
by Company. Company shall notify Manager in
writing immediately if Company has notice, or becomes aware, of any
investigation which may lead to, or an action which may result in the,
restriction, suspension, termination, denial or non-renewal of any of
Company's physicians' licensure, medical staff membership, clinical
privileges or authorization to prescribe and administer controlled
substances.
|
10.9
|
Cooperation
with Inquiries. A
party shall notify the other party upon receipt of an inquiry by a
patient, patient representative or payor for a patient or investigation by
a cognizant government agency (collectively, "Inquiry"). The
parties shall cooperate reasonably with each other in the event of any
Inquiry. Manager shall be responsible for responding to any
Inquiry related to administrative or managerial services rendered in the
Practice. Company shall be responsible for responding promptly to any
Inquiry related to the medical services rendered in the
Practice. The responding party shall give the other party
complete information about the
response.
|
10.10
|
Marketing
to Patients. Company consents to Manager marketing goods and
services to patients in a manner not interfering with the
Practice.
|
10.11
|
Notices. Any
notice or communication required by this Agreement shall be written and
delivered personally, by facsimile, by a nationally recognized overnight
courier service, or by U.S. mail, return receipt requested. Such notice
will be deemed given when delivered personally, by facsimile or by prepaid
overnight courier or when deposited in the U.S. Mail, postage prepaid,
addressed for delivery to the principal place of business of the
respective party. By notice to the other party, a party may change the
foregoing information for notices.
|
10
10.12
|
Captions.
The captions of sections of this Agreement are for reference purposes only
and shall not affect the meaning of this
Agreement.
|
10.13
|
Arbitration
and Attorney's Fees. Any
controversy or claim arising from or relating to this Agreement shall be
settled by mediation or, if unsuccessful after thirty (30) days during
which the parties have participated in good faith, by binding arbitration
in accordance with the applicable rules of the American Health Lawyer's
Association and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be
entered in any court having jurisdiction, subject to the following terms,
conditions and exceptions:
|
(A) The
venue of the arbitration will be Broward County, Florida.
|
(B)
|
Each
of the parties will share equally in the costs and expenses of arbitration
unless the arbitrator fords that the position of the non-prevailing party
in such arbitration was without substantial justification, in which event
the arbitrator may assess all of such costs and expenses together with
reasonable attorneys' fees against the non-prevailing
party.
|
|
(C)
|
The
prevailing party in any arbitration, or in any litigation brought to
enforce the award, will be entitled to recover from the other party its
attorney's fees and costs.
|
10.14
|
Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and the counterparts read
together shall constitute one
Agreement.
|
10.15
|
Entire
Agreement. This
Agreement represents the entire understanding and agreement of the parties
as to those matters contained herein, and supersedes any prior oral or
written understandings, drafts, memoranda, negotiations or
agreements.
|
10.16
|
Severability.
If
any provision of this Agreement shall be judicially declared to be illegal
or enforceable, it shall be severed from this Agreement. The remainder of
this Agreement will have the same force and effect as if such provision
had never been included.
|
10.17
|
Waiver.
No
waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective against
either party unless it is in writing and signed by the party granting the
waiver. The failure to exercise any right shall not operate as a waiver of
such right.
|
10.18
|
Drafting
of Agreement. Each
party and its/his counsel have participated fully in the negotiation,
drafting and review of this Agreement. Each party acknowledges that this
Agreement was fully and fairly negotiated with the disclosure of all
material information an all professional advice which the party deemed
necessary or advisable. Any rule of interpretation that ambiguities are to
be resolved against one party or in favor of another shall not apply to
the interpretation of this
Agreement.
|
11
10.19
|
Compliance
with Laws and Regulations. Company
and Manager in the performance of their respective obligations hereunder
shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and do
everything in their power to ensure that the conduct of the Practice is in
compliance with the rules of any accrediting or regulatory body, agency or
authority having jurisdiction over the
Practice.
|
10.20
|
Survival.
The provisions of this Article X (all
sections), and of Sections 1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 2.1, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9,
3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 5.5, 5.8, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2, 8.3 and Article IX (all
sections) and Attachment A shall survive the termination of this Agreement
for any reason.
|
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the dates forth
below.
MJM BUSINESS ENTERPRISES, INC. | |||
Date:
April 12, 2008
|
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |
Title: COO | |||
PRIMACARE HEALTH SERVICES, INC. | |||
Date:
April 12, 2008
|
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx | |
Title: Director | |||
12
|
ATTACHMENT
A
|
|
Management
Fee and Incentive Bonus Plan
|
1. Management
Fee. During the term of this Agreement, in consideration for
the provision of Services hereunder, Company shall pay Manager the greater
of:
(A) the
sum of fifty percent (50%) of the gross monthly revenues earned
by Company due to the performance of services for or on behalf of
Practice whether delivered by (i) Company (and any of its officers, directors,
employees, representatives, agents or subcontractors) or (ii) Manager (and any
of its officers, directors, employees, representatives or agents or
subcontractors) OR
(B) the
sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) per month (hereinafter “Management
Fee”).
The
Management Fee shall be paid to Manager on a monthly basis by the 18th day of
the month in which sums are earned by Company.
2. Incentive
Bonus. In addition to the Management Fee, Company shall pay
Manager a performance bonus equal to Fifteen percent (15%) of the net revenues
of Practice (“Incentive Bonus”),
provided however, such Incentive Bonus shall only be due and payable to Manager
in the event that Company does not acquire RMA MSO from Manager or Manager does not
have an equity position in Company on or before September 30, 2008.
13