Title
a. Approve and authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign an agreement with the Central California Alliance for Health for $1,794,540 to provide health plan benefits for eligible In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers for the period July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016, including the non-standard Termination provision in Exhibit A-I, Sections 4.0 through 5.1, and non-standard Mutual Indemnification provisions in Exhibit A-I, Sections 9.14 and 9.15; and
b. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign up to (3) amendments to this agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% of the original contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign an agreement with the Central California Alliance for Health for $1,794,540 to provide health plan benefits for eligible In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers for the period July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016, including the non-standard Termination provision in Exhibit A-I, Sections 4.0 through 5.1, and non-standard Mutual Indemnification provisions in Exhibit A-I, Sections 9.14 and 9.15.
b. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign up to (3) amendments to this agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% of the original contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Central California Alliance for Health has offered the Alliance Care 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 500 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 June 23, 2015 between the Monterey County Public Authority for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and SEIU Local 2015, IHSS providers must work at least 80 hours per month for the last four (4) continuous months to become eligible and, once enrolled in the health plan, must work at least 80 hours a month for two (2) of three (3) contiguous months 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’s 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 Auditor-Controller and Contracts/Purchasing have reviewed and approved this agreement, with the exception of the non-standard language which is being submitted for Board approval. County Counsel has approved the agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
$1,794,540 funds the premiums for the 2015-16 fiscal year of service. The contract specifies that the monthly premium will be $309.00 with the enrolled IHSS Provider paying $15.00 and the county $294.00 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 $0.44 financial participation for each hour of paid services each month. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues in SOC008 are included in the FY 2015-16 Adopted Budget. Approval of this action has no impact on the County General Fund.
Prepared by: Bertha Gonzalez, MA II, x4904
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director, x4434]
Attachment: Central California Alliance for Health agreement (15/16)
Proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report