Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Colleen Chawla, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Chester J. Kunnappilly, MD, Chief Executive Officer, San Mateo Medical Center
Subject: Amendment One to the Agreement with Lousia Lu, MD to Provide Ophthalmology Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an Amendment One to the agreement with Dr. Lu to provide expanded ophthalmology services, for the term of February 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027, and increasing the amount of the agreement by $44,000 to an amount not to exceed $294,432.
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BACKGROUND:
The County and Dr. Lu entered into a contract for Dr. Lu to provide 52 four-hour ophthalmology clinics annually from February 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027. There is community need for additional ophthalmology clinics, and Dr. Lu is willing to provide an additional 44 clinics during her contract.
DISCUSSION:
Dr. Lu would provide up to 96 four-hour clinics annually if the proposed amendment is accepted. If approved, the “not to exceed” amount of the contract would be increased by $44,000, to an amount not to exceed $294,432, from $250,432. There are no other changes proposed to Dr. Lu’s agreement.
The rates in Dr. Lu’s agreement 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.
The 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 100% of diabetic patients evaluated by Dr. Lu will receive retinopathy screening, if due.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2025-26 Estimated |
FY 2025-26 Projected |
|
Percentage of diabetic patients evaluated by Dr. Lu that will receive retinopathy screening, if due |
100% |
100% |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
Dr. Lu’s expanded ophthalmology coverage positively impacts health outcomes because delivery of ophthalmology services at San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC), a public safety net hospital, addresses community need. SMMC’s patients span a wide spectrum of races, ethnicities, gender, and gender-identities. Since November 1, 2024, SMMC has cared for approximately the same number of men and women, with the largest ethnic cohort being Hispanic or Latino (58%), and primarily Spanish speaking (48%). 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. Lu to meet with SMMC and discuss patient feedback to improve patient satisfaction and remove potential barriers to care.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the proposed amended agreement is February 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027, and the amount of the amended agreement is not to exceed $294,432, for the one-year term. Funds in the amount of $44,000 to cover the expansion of Dr. Lu’s clinic coverage are included in the SMMC FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
The compensation rates offered to Dr. Lu match the rates offered to SMMC’s ophthalmology panelists for the same services.
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.