Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or designee to accept an awarded grant and sign the Medi-Cal Outreach and Enrollment Agreement ("Agreement") with the State of California Department of Health Care Services in the amount of $283,531, for the period of March 12, 2014 through December 31, 2016, for the provision of Medi-Cal Outreach and Enrollment efforts in Monterey County; and
b. Authorize the Director of Health or designee to approve three future amendments up to ten percent (10%) of the annual amount, which does not significantly alter the scope of services.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or designee to accept an awarded grant and sign the Medi-Cal Outreach and Enrollment Agreement ("Agreement") with the State of California Department of Health Care Services in the amount of $283,531, for the period of March 12, 2014 through December 31, 2016, for the provision of Medi-Cal Outreach and Enrollment efforts in Monterey County; and
b. Authorize the Director of Health or designee to approve three future amendments up to ten percent (10%) of the annual amount, which does not significantly alter the scope of services.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
As part of California's effort to implement the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Assembly Bill 82 (AB 82, Budget Act of 2013) was enacted to allow the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to accept private foundation funds and receive equal federal match. The California Endowment (TCE) made available $12.5 million to the DHCS to assist with the Medi-Cal Outreach & Education (O & E) efforts associated with the ACA. DHCS accepted the TCE funding and sought the necessary federal approvals to secure matching funds for O & E activities. Section 71 of AB 82 specifically notes funding to be made available to counties for these efforts. The County of Monterey completed the survey and application requested and was selected for funding. These funds will cover up to a two year period and will end no later than June 30, 2016 and focus on newly eligible hard to reach populations. The goal of the program is to increase Medi-Cal enrollment and retention for the estimated 850,000 newly eligible but uninsured Californians as well as the 850,000 currently eligible but uninsured Californians.
In Monterey County, a recent report issued by the California State University Monterey Bay noted that there is an estimated 26,651 newly Medi-Cal eligible but currently uninsured residents. As of early March, the Central Coast Alliance for Health estimated over 1,000 enrollees in the new Medi-Cal expansion program. While the figure is projected to increase due to pending applications, there is a need to further provide access to education and enrollment opportunities. As required by DHCS, half of the funds will be issued to local community-based organizations for the outreach component. The Monterey County Health Department plans to continue working with organizations conducting ACA outreach in order to hit the ground running. By doing this, the efforts to enroll individuals into Medi-Cal can be more effectively and efficiently implemented in the next six month window during which time the Covered CA open enrollment period is closed (new open enrollment period starts October 1, 2014).
The Monterey County Health Department will work closely with the Department of Social Services to assist with enrollment efforts and in this way support the community-based organizations conducted Medi-Cal awareness and outreach. By working collaboratively, these limited funds can be maximized to ensure an increase in enrollment and retention. These efforts align with the Monterey County Health Department's Strategic Plan, specifically with Initiative 1, which calls for the empowerment of community to improve health and Initiative 3, Ensuring access to health services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel, Risk Management and the Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this Agreement as to legal form, liability and fiscal provisions respectively. Agreement is on file with the Clerk to the Board.
FINANCING:
This Agreement is fully funded by the DHCS. There are sufficient appropriations included in the Health Department's (HEA003-8128) Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2013-14.
Prepared by: Kathy Robinson, Management Analyst II, 1286
Approved by: Ray Bullick, Director of Health, 4526
Attachment:
Agreement is on file with the Clerk of the Board