Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign a non-standard Behavioral Health Care Professional Services Agreement (“Agreement”) with the Santa Cruz-Monterey-Merced-San Benito-Mariposa Managed Medi-Cal Care Commission, a California public entity, operating as Central California Alliance for Health (CCAH), for the provision of the behavioral health covered services to eligible patients, for a term beginning July 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 which shall auto-renew for one (1) year terms thereafter until terminated; and
b. Approve the recommendation of the Director of Health Services to accept the non-standard terms in the Agreement; and
c. Authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to three (3) future amendments that do not significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign a non-standard Behavioral Health Care Professional Services Agreement (“Agreement”) with the Santa Cruz-Monterey-Merced-San Benito-Mariposa Managed Medi-Cal Care Commission, a California public entity, operating as Central California Alliance for Health (CCAH), for the provision of the behavioral health covered services to eligible patients, for a term beginning July 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 which shall auto-renew for one (1) year terms thereafter until terminated; and
b. Approve the recommendation of the Director of Health Services to accept the non-standard terms in the Agreement; and
c. Authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to three (3) future amendments that do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey Health Department Clinic Services Bureau (Clinic Services) operates twelve community clinic sites designated as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) which provide preventive, primary, and specialty medical care services. Currently, Clinic Services serves over 42,000 unique patients, with over 80% of those covered by CCAH’s Managed Medi-Cal Plan.
CCAH has announced that, effective July 1, 2025, CCAH will move behavioral health services in-house, taking over responsibility from CCAH’s current contracted Managed Medi-Cal behavioral health provider network, Carelon (formerly Beacon Health Strategies). CCAH will also assume responsibility for behavioral health claims processing, provider support, member support, and handling authorizations, which are also currently managed by Carelon through June 30, 2025.
Approval of the recommended action will allow a seamless transition of covered behavioral health services to eligible CCAH members currently being served by Clinic Services.
This work supports the County of Monterey Health Department 2025-2028 Strategic Plan Goal(s): 1.) Build Community Power and Partner’s Capacity to Increase Equity and Improve Health. It also supports the following of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 4.) Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems; and 7.) link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVMENT:
The office of County Counsel and Auditor-Controller have reviewed as to legal form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the General Fund from approval of this action. CCAH will reimburse Clinic Services based on the applicable Medi-Cal reimbursement rates, while the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) provides the difference between those rates and the clinics’ patient visit rate (wrap payment). Additionally, Clinic Services will receive a one-time $300 Sign-On bonus for every rendering Behavioral Health Provider for whom a completed credentialing application is submitted through June 30, 2027.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐ Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐ Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency.
☒ Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐ Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐ Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Prisca Segovia, Management Analyst II, 755-4939
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachment:
Board Report
Agreement