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 Lena Osher, M.D. for Psychiatric Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Lena Osher, M.D. for psychiatry services, increasing the amount by $740,672 to an amount not to exceed $1,549,376, 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. Osher was selected from candidates who responded to those advertisements and has contracted with BHRS since 2003.
On May 16, 2017, your Board approved an agreement with Dr. Osher for psychiatric services, for the term of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2020, in an amount not to exceed $808,704.
DISCUSSION:
Dr. Osher will continue to provide child psychiatry services at various mental health clinics throughout the County. 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. Osher’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. Osher, who holds a General Psychiatric Board certification and Specialty Psychiatric Board certification, is eligible to receive a rate increase representing approximately 35% of her previous hourly rate.
The amendment and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form.
It is anticipated that 80% of served clients will be retained at current or lower level of placement.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2019-20 Estimated |
FY 2020-21 Projected |
|
Percentage of served clients that will be retained at current or lower level of placement |
80% |
80% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the amended agreement is July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2022. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $1,549,376. The amendment increases the contract amount by $740,672 and extends the contract term by two years. Funds in the amount of $314,688 are included in the BHRS FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget. Of that amount, Medi-Cal will fund $157,344; 1991 Realignment will fund $31,469; and 2011 Realignment for Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment will fund $125,875. There is no Net County Cost.