Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign a funding agreement and related amendments to the agreement with the California Department of Aging, Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program to provide enhanced outreach and enrollment assistance to eligible Medicare beneficiaries for the period of September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024, in the amount of $48,927 or such amounts as State makes available during the term.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign a funding agreement and related amendments to the agreement with the California Department of Aging, Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program to provide enhanced outreach and enrollment assistance to eligible Medicare beneficiaries for the period of September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024, in the amount of $48,927 or such amounts as State makes available during the term.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) of 2008 was passed into law on February 15, 2008. Since then, this specialized program funding has been sporadic and typically covers a partial year. The California Department of Aging (CDA) has allocated $48,927 for the Area Agency on Aging in Monterey County. Specific services offered through MIPPA include extensive outreach efforts to low-income Medicare beneficiaries who live in isolation. The purpose of this program is to improve beneficiary access to preventive and mental health services, enhance low-income benefit programs, and maintain access to care in rural areas, including pharmacy access. Services will continue to be provided through a subcontract with Alliance on Aging, a local non-profit agency that special...
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