Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Scott Gilman, Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
Subject: Amendment to the Agreement with Rashmi Garg, M.D. for Psychiatric Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Rashmi Garg, M.D. for psychiatry services, increasing the amount by $694,380 to an amount not to exceed $1,452,540, and extending the term through June 30, 2022.
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BACKGROUND:
For the past several years, there has been a shortage of adult and child psychiatrists in California and the United States in general. Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) has found it difficult to fill child psychiatrist positions in San Mateo County due to the high cost of living. BHRS runs advertisements for specialty psychiatric services on a regular basis in the Northern California Psychiatric Newsletter and other venues as needed. Dr. Garg was selected from candidates who responded to those advertisements in 1998 and has contracted with BHRS since that time.
On April 24, 2017, the Board approved an agreement with Dr. Garg for psychiatric services, for the term of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2020, in an amount not to exceed $758,160.
DISCUSSION:
Dr. Garg will continue to provide child psychiatry services at the BHRS Central Clinic at the following locations: County Mental Health, Child Welfare, Receiving Home, Therapeutic Day Schools, and Tower House. The services shall include child and youth psychiatric evaluation and treatment, psychotherapy, family therapy and consultation, and case consultation to staff.
An amendment to Dr. Garg's contract is now necessary because BHRS recently approved rate increases for its contracted psychiatrists, in order to remain competitive with the Bay Area market. Dr. Garg, who holds a General Psychiatric Board certification an...
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