REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
February 27, 2024
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SUBJECT
Title
Letter of Agreement with Inland Empire Health Plan Related to Emergency Medical Ground Transport Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District:
1. Approve Letter of Agreement with Inland Empire Health Plan, allowing the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District to receive reimbursement from Inland Empire Health Plan for the cost of providing emergency medical ground transport services to members enrolled with Inland Empire Health Plan, for the retroactive period of July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2025.
2. Direct the Secretary of the Board of Directors to maintain confidentiality of the agreement identified in Recommendation No. 1 pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 1457(c)(1).
(Presenter: Dan Munsey, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, 387-5779)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of these recommendations will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The recommended Letter of Agreement (Agreement) with Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) will allow San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) to continue to receive reimbursement from IEHP for the costs of providing emergency medical ground transport services to members enrolled with IEHP. Sufficient appropriation and revenue for the Agreement are included in SBCFPD’s 2023-24 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
IEHP is a public initiative Healthcare Maintenance Organization (HMO) Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan Provider in San Bernardino County. IEHP is also a Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan Provider under the Intergovernmental Transfer (IGT) Program with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). On May 24, 2016 (Item No. 187), the Board of Directors (Board) approved the previous Letter of Agreement (Agreement No. 16-255) with IEHP for emergency medical ground transport services with a contract term of October 1, 2016, through September 30, 2017, including four automatic one-year renewal periods. According to IEHP, Agreement No. 16-255 expired on June 30, 2021, instead of September 30, 2021, as erroneously listed in the May 24, 2016 item. IEHP wishes to continue to contract with SBCFPD for emergency medical ground transport services for members enrolled with IEHP, retroactive to July 1, 2021.
This recommended Agreement will allow SBCFPD to continue to receive funding for services provided to members enrolled with IEHP. The Agreement delineates service requirements and corresponding reimbursement to SBCFPD for personnel and equipment. SBCFPD will receive payment for services provided according to the fee schedule listed in the Agreement. The term of the Agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2025. Either party may terminate this Agreement without cause by providing the other party 30 working days prior written notice.
This Agreement is retroactive due to SBCFPD receiving the Agreement from IEHP on January 25, 2024. Additionally, the IGT Program was postponed from January 1, 2021, through September 12, 2022, by DHCS due to a revision of the capitation rates. The IGT Program has since been reestablished and the most updated agreement with DHCS was submitted to the Board for approval on December 5, 2023 (Item No. 70). This item is being presented at this time, as this is the first available date following the required operational, fiscal, and legal reviews.
Pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 1457(c)(1), specific terms related to the rates of payment for health care services are not immediately subject to laws related to public records. Therefore, the Secretary of the Board is directed to maintain confidentiality of this Agreement with DHCS.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Scott Runyan, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 5, 2024; Finance (Ivan Ramirez, Administrative Analyst, 387-4635) on February 7, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on February 8, 2024.