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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Accept funding from the Department of Health Care Services in the amount of $69,772 for the provision of Medi-Cal renewal assistance services to assist current Medi-Cal beneficiaries in renewing their Medi-Cal coverage;
2) Authorize and delegate authority to the HHSA Director to sign Allocation 326-F1611 for the term January 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018 as well as any amendments thereto, that do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management;
3) Authorize the Chair to sign a budget transfer to increase HHSA revenue and appropriations by $69,772 (4/5 vote required); and
4) Authorize the HHSA Director, or designee, to administer said Agreement and execute any subsequent administrative documents relating to said Agreement, including required fiscal and programmatic plans or reports.
FUNDING: Medi-Cal Renewal Assistance Allocation (State/Federal Funding).
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board accept the Allocation from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) for the provision of Medi-Cal renewal assistance for current Medi-Cal beneficiaries. HHSA also recommending the Board delegate authority to the HHSA Director, on behalf of the County, to execute the Allocation and other documents relating to Allocation 326-F1611, including amendments, which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or change the term of the Agreement.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
In 2013, the State passed Assembly Bill (AB) 82, which provided that DHCS shall accept funding from private foundations to provide allocations for the management and funding of Medi-Cal outreach and enrollment plans. In addition, said funds shall be distributed to Counties for the purpose of additional Medi-Cal outreach and enrollment activities, beyond those normally provided at the County level; in accordance with the specifications of AB 82, the funds allocated shall be used only for the Medi-Cal outreach and enrollment activities, and may supplement, but shall not supplant, existing local, state, and foundation funding of county outreach and enrollment activities. As a result, on May 13, 2014, the Board approved Agreement 666-F1411 with DHCS (File ID # 14-0597) which provided $100,000 for Medi-Cal outreach and enrollment activities, with a term beginning March 12, 2014 and ending December 31, 2016.
El Dorado County Community Health Center (EDCCHC) is a Federally Qualified Health Center that is well versed in providing primary healthcare services to a large number of Medi-Cal recipients, specifically the population targeted by AB 82 - including but not limited to young men of color, persons with limited English proficiency, and persons with mental health and substance use disorder needs. The existing number of Medi-Cal clients and EDCCHC’s existing infrastructure placed them in an ideal position to perform Medi-Cal outreach and enrollment assistance in the County, resulting in a sub-award of the initial Agreement 666-F1411 to EDCCHC approved by the Board on September 9, 2014 (File ID # 14-1050).
This new DHCS Agreement 326-F1611, is the result of Senate Bill 18, approved by the Governor in September 2014, for the purpose of assisting current Medi-Cal recipients with the renewal of their Medi-Cal coverage, in the amount of $69,772 for the period January 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018. This Agreement provides counties and community-based organizations funding to assist current Medi-Cal beneficiaries in renewing their coverage in years 2015 through 2018. In compliance with the mandated Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Medi-Cal renewal process and forms have changed. Beneficiaries that had Medi-Cal or are new to Medi-Cal could benefit from renewal assistance.
At this time, based on the successful outreach and enrollment activities provided by EDCCHC under Agreement 666-F1411, HHSA is considering again partnering with the EDCCHC who would receive the majority of this funding in order to carry out the work plan activities as approved by DHCS.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the County not accept these funds, many individuals who need help with the Medi-Cal re-enrollment process may not be able to access such assistance potentially causing unnecessary gaps in coverage and a barrier to access primary care.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to provide one (1) Certified Minute Order to HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., Director