Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Chester J. Kunnappilly, MD, Chief Executive Officer, San Mateo Medical Center
Subject: Agreement with Howard Belfer, MD to Provide Neurology Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Howard Belfer, MD to provide neurology services for the term of May 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024, in an amount not to exceed $250,000.
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BACKGROUND:
San Mateo County is responsible for providing necessary medical care to its medically indigent population. For more than 21 years, Dr. Belfer has provided neurology services for San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC). Neurology is a non-surgical specialty that addresses many of the root causes of neurological disorders, nerve damage, and pain.
DISCUSSION:
Under this agreement, Dr. Belfer would provide a minimum of 72 four-hour clinics, half of SMMC’s neurology on-call coverage, and 36 four-hour reading blocks dedicated to performing and reviewing electroencephalograms (EEGs) and electromyograms (EMGs) as well as supplemental neurology services.
County Administrative Memorandum B-1 provides that contracts for physician services are exempt from the Request for Proposals process.
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 85% of patients who complete a Patient Satisfaction Survey would recommend Dr. Belfer as a provider. It is also anticipated that 100% of prescription refills and referral reviews will be completed within a week of receipt.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2022-23 Estimated |
FY 2023-24 Projected |
|
Percentage of patients who complete a Patient Satisfaction Survey that recommend Dr. Belfer as a provider |
85% |
85% |
|
Percentage of prescription refills and referral review completed within a week of receipt |
100% |
100% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is May 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $250,000 for the one-year term. Funds in the amount of $41,666 are included in the SMMC FY 2022-23 Adopted Budget. Funds in the amount of $208,334 are included in the SMMC FY 2023-24 Recommended Budget.
The payment provisions of this agreement are essentially the same as those of the previous contract.
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.