Title
a. Approve and authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, or designee, to sign an agreement with the Central California Alliance for Health to provide health plan benefits for eligible In-Home Supportive Services providers for the period July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, including non-standard termination and mutual indemnification provisions in the amount of $5,479,681; and
b. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign up to three (3) amendments to the agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($547,968) of the original contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work not to exceed the maximum of $6,027,649.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, or designee, to sign an agreement with the Central California Alliance for Health to provide health plan benefits for eligible In-Home Supportive Services providers for the period July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, including non-standard termination and mutual indemnification provisions in the amount of $5,479,681; and
b. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign up to three (3) amendments to the agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($547,968) of the original contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work not to exceed the maximum of $6,027,649.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Central California Alliance for Health (CCAH) has offered the Alliance Care In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) health plan since July 1, 2005. The plan provides comprehensive and high-quality coverage including hospital, outpatient, primary and specialized care, prescription drugs, and mental health services for approximately 700 IHSS providers who meet eligibility criteria. The Alliance Care IHSS health plan provides culturally and linguistically sensitive access to health care throughout the County. Service Employee International Union (SEIU) Local 2015, representing IHSS providers, supports this health plan for their members. Central California Alliance for Health continues to have all regulatory approvals from the California Department of Managed Health Care and maintains the necessary Knox-Keene license to provide the Alliance Care IHSS plan.
Pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) approved by your Board on February 26, 2019 between the Monterey County Public Authority for IHSS and SEIU Local 2015, IHSS providers must work at least 80 hours per month for the last three continuous months to become eligible and, once enrolled in the health plan, must work at least 80 hours per month to maintain eligibility.
It is recommended that the proposed contract’s non-standard termination and non-standard mutual indemnification language be approved as modified, and as set forth in the exhibits to this contract. It is the Department of Social Services’ (DSS) position that these modifications to the County’s standard provisions are necessary due to limited alternative resources for these services, the desire to preserve an ongoing positive relationship with the current provider, and the need for uninterrupted service. The new agreement contains the modified contractual language and is being brought before the Board for approval.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Agreements as to form, as has the Auditor-Controller’s Office as to financial provisions.
FINANCING:
$5,479,681 funds the premiums for the 2023-24 fiscal year of service. The contract specifies that the monthly premium will be $574.00 with the enrolled IHSS Provider paying $15.00 and the County $559.00 which is funded by Federal and State revenues. The maximum number of individuals that can be enrolled is determined by the state funding formula that provides $0.66 of financial participation for each hour of paid services each month. This Agreement is expected to serve 694 individuals per month. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues in SOC001 are included in the FY 23-24 Recommended Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This contract correlates to the Health & Human Services Strategic Initiative adopted by the Board of Supervisors by allowing the Department to provide health benefits to In-Home Supportive Services providers, whose services help allow seniors and people with disabilities to remain safely in their homes.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
__Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Gloria Rivera-Perez, Program Manager, x 8511
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director, x4430
Attachment: Agreement
Proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.