REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 26, 2023
FROM
GILBERT RAMOS, Director, Transitional Assistance Department
SUBJECT
Title
Non-Financial Contracts with Hospitals for Out-Stationed Eligibility Worker Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve non-financial Contracts to provide out-stationed Medi-Cal Eligibility Worker services with the following hospitals, for the period of September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2026:
1. Dignity Health - Community Hospital of San Bernardino
2. Dignity Health - St. Bernadine Medical Center
(Presenter: James LoCurto, Assistant Director, 388-0245)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Medi-Cal eligibility determination activities are funded 100% by State and Federal Funds. In the event Federal/State funding for Medi-Cal administration is decreased or withdrawn, the hospitals are required to reimburse the County for the apportioned cost of each Eligibility Worker assigned to the hospital. The cost of Eligibility Worker salaries and benefits for these contracts were included and approved in the Human Services Administration 2023-24 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Under the recommended contracts, the Transitional Assistance Department (TAD) will assign Eligibility Workers to participating hospitals to assist in the completion and acceptance of Medi-Cal applications for eligible county residents. Obtaining Medi-Cal benefits will ensure the residents receive adequate medical care and that hospitals receive compensation for the care provided.
Out-stationed Eligibility Workers have been providing services to hospitals throughout the county since 1999. Hospitals currently receiving out-stationed Eligibility Worker services include Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Dignity Health - St. Bernadine Medical Center, Dignity Health - Community Hospital of San Bernardino, Hi-Desert Medical Center, Loma Linda University Health, San Antonio Regional Hospital, and Victor Valley Global Medical Center. The two hospitals listed in the Recommendation have current contracts in place, but each requires a new contract due to updated insurance requirements or requirements specific to each hospital.
TAD is committed to continue to work with local hospitals in a concerted effort to maintain the health and welfare of Medi-Cal eligible county residents. Medi-Cal Eligibility Workers are out-stationed at the various hospital sites to process Medi-Cal applications at the point of intake rather than at TAD district offices.
This item is being presented to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for approval at this time, as this is the first date available following negotiations with various hospitals and the required administrative, operational, and legal reviews. Board approval at this time will not impact out-stationed Eligibility Worker services or activities, as services have continued throughout this period.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on August 22, 2023; County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on August 23, 2023; Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on August 24, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on August 24, 2023.