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: Agreement with Jessie Hwang, OD to Provide Optometry Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Jessie Hwang, OD to provide optometry services, for the term of November 1, 2025 through October 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $201,344.
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BACKGROUND:
San Mateo County provides necessary medical care to medically and financially vulnerable patients, including optometry services. Among the optometrists who provide care to the County is Dr. Hwang, who has done so since 2007. Providing eye care to County patients is important to ensure that basic eye care is afforded to people who otherwise might not have access to it.
DISCUSSION:
Under the previous agreement for optometry coverage, Dr. Hwang agreed to provide at least 408 four-hour optometry clinics, with at least one day per month taking care of patients at the County Jail. Under that agreement, Dr. Hwang was paid at the equivalent of a .85 FTE. Under the proposed agreement, Dr. Hwang would provide up to 416 four-hour optometry clinics. Dr. Hwang is expected to provide roughly the same amount of total patient care compared to her prior agreement. Clinical care services are compensated at a rate of $121.00 per hour under the proposed contract, identical to Dr. Banh’s contract offer.
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.
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 Dr. Hwang’s diabetic patients will have retinopathy screening documented in their electronic health record.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2025-26 Estimated |
FY 2025-26 Projected |
|
Percentage of Dr. Hwang’s diabetic patients that have retinopathy screening documented in their electronic health record |
100% |
100% |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
Dr. Hwang’s continued optometry coverage will positively impact health outcomes because the delivery of optometry services at SMMC, a public safety net hospital, addresses a critical community need. SMMC’s patients represent a wide spectrum of races, ethnicities, genders, and gender identities. Over 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%). To reduce bias in the medical profession, SMMC provides training to physicians and follows up with patients to ensure they continue to have access to specialized care. SMMC also tracks physician satisfaction survey results and requires Dr. Hwang to meet with SMMC leadership to review patient feedback, strengthen patient satisfaction, and address potential barriers to care.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is November 1, 2025 through October 31, 2026. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $201,344 for the 1-year term. Funds in that amount are included in the SMMC FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
The proposed contract represents a 4.5% increase in compensation per hour worked compared to the prior agreement.
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.