Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a non-standard data sharing participation agreement with Manifest MedEx (MX), a California non-profit public benefit corporation, to participate in the Data Exchange Framework; Data Sharing - Electronic Health Information Exchange commencing upon execution and shall remain in effect until terminated as set forth in the Agreement, for a total Agreement amount of $800,000;
b. Approve the recommendation of Director of Health Services to accept all non-standard risk terms and provisions; and
c. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute up to three (3) future Amendments to this Agreement that in total do not exceed 10% ($80,000) of the Agreement amount, do not significantly change the scope of work, and do not exceed a revised maximum amount of $880,000.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended by the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a non-standard data sharing participation agreement with Manifest MedEx (MX), a California non-profit public benefit corporation, to participate in the Data Exchange Framework; Data Sharing - Electronic Health Information Exchange commencing upon execution and shall remain in effect until terminated as set forth in the Agreement, for a total Agreement amount of $800,000;
b. Approve the recommendation of Director of Health Services to accept all non-standard risk terms and provisions; and
c. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute up to three (3) future Amendments to this Agreement that in total do not exceed 10% ($80,000) of the Agreement amount, do not significantly change the scope of work, and do not exceed a revised maximum amount of $880,000.
SUMMARY:
In order to address current data exchange gaps previously identified by the County of Monterey Behavioral Health Bureau and comply with current data exchange requirements from California Health and Human Services, the County of Monterey Health Department previously executed an agreement with Serving Communities Health Information Organization (SCHIO), a regional exchange that become a data exchange for our Medi-CAL managed care plan and several regional partners. SCHIO will now be discontinuing services after December 31, 2025, and transitioning partners to Manifest MedEx. Manifest MedEx is the largest health and social services information exchange in California.
DISCUSSION:
In 2021, California Health and Safety Code § 130290 established the California Health and Human Services Data Exchange Framework. This framework requires certain data sharing among Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans, hospitals, physician organizations, and certain health providers. County health, public health, and social service providers are highly encouraged to participate in the Data Exchange Framework. While various county agencies are encouraged to participate in the data exchange framework, county behavioral health agencies requesting funds to participate in the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-CAL (Cal-AIM) initiative are required to participate in the Data Exchange Framework.
The framework includes a single data sharing agreement and a set of common policies and procedures. The agreement is intended to facilitate data exchange between the participants in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies. This agreement sets forth a common set of terms, conditions, and obligations to support secure real-time access to, or exchange of, Health and Social Services Information between and among the participants.
While California Health and Human Services has not required specific technology to adhere to the requirements outlined in the Data Exchange Framework, they have recognized nine Qualified Health Information Organizations (QHIO)s that facilitate data exchanges among participants in accordance with the Data Exchange Framework. Earlier this year, the County of Monterey Health Department executed an agreement with Serving Communities Health Information Organization (SCHIO), a regional exchange and one of the QHIOs identified by California Health and Human Services that become a data exchange for our Medi-CAL managed care plan and several regional partners. SCHIO will now be discontinuing services after December 31, 2025, and transitioning partners to the largest non-profit QHIO in California, Manifest MedEx.
Onboarding onto Manifest MedEx will address current data exchange gaps previously identified by the County of Monterey Behavioral Health Bureau and by sending and receiving more complete health and social services information, will ultimately ensure optimal health services are provided to the community.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The office of the County Counsel and Auditor Controller have reviewed and approved this non-standard agreement as to form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the General Fund from approval of this action. There are sufficient appropriations in the Behavioral Health Bureau’s FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget (023-4000-HEA012) and provision for this Agreement will be made in the future FY’s.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
As this work ensures more complete health and social services information is readily available to providers and stakeholders, this work advances the Board of Supervisors 2025-2028 Strategic Plan Goal to provide Well-Being and Quality of Life by providing data that can be used to address Health and Facilities strategies to coordinate and develop a plan for transition services and resources and identify opportunities to address Countywide continuum service delivery goals. It also addresses Service enhancements by connecting individuals to services and can be used to further connect agencies to mitigate food insecurity gaps.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
X Well-Being and Quality of Life
___ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
___ Safe and Resilient Communities
___ Diverse and Thriving Economy
Prepared by: Richard Wagreich, Departmental Information Systems Manager II, 755-4351
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Agreement