Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a non-standard Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. to work collaboratively to assure access to food assistance, nutrition education, breastfeeding counseling and access to health and social service referrals for pregnant individuals, new parents and guardians, and children 0 to 5 years of age enrolled in Kaiser Foundation's Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan, effective January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2031 with no exchange of funds;
b. Approve non-standard liability provisions as recommended by the Director of Health Services; and
c. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to three (3) future amendments to the MOU, provided that these amendments do not substantially change the Scope of Services, do not add funds to the MOU, and are approved by the Office of the County Counsel.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a non-standard Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. to work collaboratively to assure access to food assistance, nutrition education, breastfeeding counseling and access to health and social service referrals for pregnant individuals, new parents and guardians, and children 0 to 5 years of age enrolled in Kaiser Foundation's Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan, effective January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2031 with no exchange of funds;
b. Approve non-standard liability provisions as recommended by the Director of Health Services; and
c. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to three (3) future amendments to the MOU, provided that these amendments do not substantially change the Scope of Services, do not add funds to the MOU, and are approved by the Office of the County Counsel.
SUMMARY:
In January 2024, under the 2024 Medi-Cal Managed Care Contract, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) required all managed care plans to collaborate with counties and third-party entities to contractually ensure the provision of whole-system, person-centered care, including services provided by the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans (MCPs) must build and maintain partnerships with local health jurisdictions to ensure Medi-Cal member care is coordinated and that members have access to community-based resources. This requirement is part of California’s transformation of Medi-Cal to ensure members can access the care they need to live healthier lives. DHCS intends to advance health equity, quality, access, accountability, and transparency for Medi-Cal members.
As part of this comprehensive effort, this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlines how County of Monterey and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., will work together to coordinate care, conduct administrative and information exchange activities, integrate services including referring and linking participants to community supports, and build partnerships required for the effective and seamless delivery of services to County of Monterey’s WIC participants who are enrolled in Kaiser Foundation’s MCP. The goal is to improve care coordination and ensure that all aspects of the participants’ health are addressed in a comprehensive manner.
DISCUSSION:
Kaiser Foundation began providing services to Monterey County residents in January 2025 and will operate as a licensed Medi-Cal managed care plan beginning January 1, 2027. The requested MOU assists with coordinating WIC related services between Kaiser Foundation and the Health Department for Kaiser’s Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan members who reside in Monterey County. The MOU also supports the Health Department’s MOU with the State WIC program.
This MOU supports the County of Monterey Health Department 2025-2028 Strategic Plan Goals: 1) Build community power and partners’ capacity to increase equity and improve health; and 2) Provide exceptional person-centered care through accessible, community-focused health services. It also supports two 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 INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Office of the County Counsel and Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved this MOU as to legal form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
There is no exchange of funds between the County of Monterey and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This Memorandum of Understanding aligns with the Strategic Goal of Well-Being and Quality of Life by promoting care coordination and access to public health services for Kaiser Permanente Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan members.
Mark a check next to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals:
X Well-Being and Quality of Life
Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
Safe and Resilient Communities
Diverse and Thriving Economy
Dynamic Organization and Employer of Choice
Prepared by: Patricia Velarde, Management Analyst II, 796-1377
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Memorandum of Understanding