Special Notice / Hearing: None
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Chester J. Kunnappilly, MD, Chief Executive Officer, San Mateo Medical Center
Subject: Agreement with Pacific Foot Care Podiatry Group, Inc. to Provide Podiatry Services
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Pacific Foot Care Podiatry Group, Inc. for Dr. Richard Woo to provide podiatry services for the term of December 1, 2024, through November 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $1,089,024.
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BACKGROUND:
San Mateo County is responsible for providing necessary medical care to its medically and financially vulnerable population. Since February 1, 2010, Pacific Foot Care Podiatry Group, Inc. (Pacific) has provided professional podiatric services at San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) under contract, treating foot and ankle conditions. During that time, Pacific’s principal, Dr. Richard Woo, has provided the services and medical leadership within the specialty as SMMC’s Medical Director of Podiatry.
DISCUSSION:
Under this agreement, on an annual basis, Pacific has agreed to provide up to 336 four-hour outpatient clinic shifts, 48 four-hour operating room shifts, 528 hours of on-call services, 320 hours of supplemental clinical services, and 10 hours per month of medical director services.
The rates in the new contract are within fair market value according to VMG Health, a nationally recognized medical services valuation firm that relies upon multiple industry-standard provider compensation surveys and aggregates that data.
County Attorney has reviewed and approved the resolution and agreement as to form.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
It is anticipated that 90% of all established podiatry patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus are evaluated for proper footwear and sizing at least once within 12 months.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2024-25 Estimated |
FY 2024-25 Projected |
|
Percentage of all established podiatry patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus evaluated for proper footwear and sizing at least once within 12 months |
90% |
90% |
EQUITY IMPACT:
Dr. Woo’s continued podiatry coverage positively impacts equitable health outcomes for SMMC’s patients by specifically addressing the podiatric needs of the County’s most medically and financially vulnerable patients. SMMC’s patients span a wide spectrum of races, ethnicities, gender, and gender-identities. Within the past 18 months, the largest cohorts of specialty care patients at SMMC were female (52%), Hispanic or Latino (63%), and primarily Spanish speaking (55%). SMMC strives to eliminate bias in the medical profession by providing culturally competent training to its physicians and by following up with patients to ensure that they continue to have access to specialized care. SMMC specifically tracks physician satisfaction survey results and requires Dr. Woo to meet with SMMC and discuss patient feedback to improve patient satisfaction and remove potential barriers to care.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is December 1, 2024, through November 30, 2027. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $1,089,024 for the three-year term. Funds in the amount of $211,755 are included in the SMMC FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget. Funds in the amount of $363,008 are included in the SMMC FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget. Similar arrangements will be made for future years.
The non-compounded cost of the agreement is increasing by 3% compared to the prior agreement. Dr. Woo’s hourly rate for clinic coverage is increasing from $156.50 per hour to $176 per hour, and his surgical rates are increasing from $156.50 per hour to $181 per hour. The increases in Dr. Woo’s hourly rates are being offset by efficiencies gained in on-call scheduling, i.e. SMMC will offer fewer dedicated on-call shifts during non-clinic time, while Dr. Woo agrees to provide patient and physician consultations while staffed in-clinic. As a result, SMMC does not anticipate that there will be any reduction in responsiveness or service provided to patients or consulting providers.
Expenses at SMMC are covered by fees for services or third-party payors whenever possible. The portion of expenses for services provided to the medically indigent or to those covered by programs that do not meet the full costs of care is covered by the County’s General Fund contribution to SMMC and is within the existing annual appropriation.