Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Robert J. Foucrault, Coroner
Subject: Amendment of Forensic Pathology Agreements with Forensic Doctors Group, PC and Raven Forensic Pathology & Autopsy Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) A second amendment of the agreement with Forensic Doctors Group, PC, owned by Dr. Michael D. Hunter, M.D. ("FDG"), to increase the not-to-exceed amount by $75,000 to $669,000; and
B) A second amendment of the agreement with Raven Forensic Pathology & Autopsy Services, owned by Dr. Katherine Raven, M.D. ("Raven"), to increase the not-to-exceed amount by $75,000 to $352,500; and
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BACKGROUND:
The Coroner's Office is required by statute to investigate and determine the cause and manner of death in all violent, sudden, or unusual deaths in the County of San Mateo (the "County"). To carry-out this statutory duty, the Coroner's Office contracts with forensic pathologists board-certified by the American Board of Forensic Medicine, of which there are currently less than 500 practicing in the entire United States. The County currently holds contracts with FDG, Raven, and Thomas W. Rogers, M.D. ("Dr. Rogers").
On January 28, 2020, pursuant to Resolution No. 077191, the Board approved a new model for the provision of forensic pathology services in the County. At the time, the services were performed by Dr. Rogers and Peter A. Benson, M.D. ("Dr. Benson"), who had been under contract with the County since 1962. According to the new model, both Dr. Rogers and Dr. Benson were to provide forensic pathology services pursuant to fee-for-service contracts covering the term February 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, with a combined not-to-exceed amount of $1,126,350 (the "January 2020 Fee-for-Service Agreements"). The expectation was that each would provide 50% ($563,175) of the total forensic pathology services.
Unfortunately, Dr. ...
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