FROM: Barbara Hannah, Chief Counsel
SUBJECT: Addition of Dr. Lawrence Koss to 2026 Medical Advisor Panel
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommend that the Board approve the addition of Dr. Lawrence Koss to the 2026 Medical Advisor Panel.
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BACKGROUND:
In accordance with Government Code section 31732, the Board shall secure such medical, investigatory, and other services and advice as is necessary to carry out the purposes of Article 10 - Disability Retirement of the County Employees’ Retirement Law.
To that end, annually, the Board of Retirement approves a Medical Advisor Panel based on the recommendation of an ad hoc committee of the Board to provide medical advice to the Board and staff on disability retirement matters. The Board approved its 2026 Medical Advisor Panel at its December 4, 2025, meeting. At that time, there were a total of three (3) medical advisors approved for the 2026 Medical Advisor Panel, to wit: Dr. Lance Mohr, Dr. Shoaib Naqvi, and Dr. Jeffery Wainstein Drs. Mohr and Wainstein have since notified SBCERA that they no longer wish to serve on the Medical Advisor Panel, and are no longer being assigned any cases.
Only one active Medical Advisor remains on the 2026 Medical Advisor Panel. There are currently 66 disability retirement applications in process. Because of the number of cases in progress and the reduction of advisors on the panel, SBCERA reached out to CONCENTRA to inquire if any additional physicians would be interested in joining SBCERA’s panel to review disability retirement applications.
Staff recommends that Dr. Lawrence Koss be included as a Medical Advisor for SBCERA. His confidential Curriculum Vitae is attached as Exhibit A. Dr. Koss has attended an SBCERA Medical Advisor training session to become familiar with SBCERA’s disability retirement process, the Medical Advisor requirements and expectations in reviewing disability retirement cases, and preparation of and submission of medical reports.
Based on the above, staff recommends the Board approve the addition of Dr. Lawrence Koss of Concentra to the 2026 Medical Advisor Panel, effective immediately. Upon approval by the Board, staff will prepare a contract for Dr. Koss/Concentra to provide services as a medical advisor to SBCERA which will cover the remainder of the 2026 calendar year.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Costs for this item are included in the current year administrative budget.
STRATEGIC PLANNING GOAL/OBJECTIVE:
Operational Excellence & Efficiency
STAFF CONTACT:
Barbara Hannah
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit A: Confidential - Curriculum Vitae - Dr. Lawrence Koss