REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 29, 2022
FROM
GILBERT RAMOS, Director, Transitional Assistance Department
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Contract with Loma Linda University Institute for Community Partnerships to Provide Medi-Cal Health Enrollment Navigator Project Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 2, effective April 1, 2022, to Contract No. 20-969 with Loma Linda University Institute for Community Partnerships to provide Medi-Cal Health Enrollment Navigator Project services, increasing the total contract amount by $142,725, from $1,222,130 to an amount not to exceed $1,364,855, and extending for an additional three months, for a total contract period of October 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022.
(Presenter: Gilbert Ramos, Director, 388-0245)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Create, Maintain and Grow Jobs and Economic Value in the County.
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). The increase of $142,725 for the Medi-Cal Health Enrollment Navigator Project services is State funded by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) for the three-month extension of this project. In addition to the $142,725 granted for the three-month extension, Loma Linda University is requesting the ability to spend $74,198 of unspent grant funds budgeted in 2020-21; this roll-over is allowable by DHCS. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been be included in the Human Services Administrative Claim 2021-22 budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Under the terms of the recommended amendment, Loma Linda University (LLU) Institute for Community Partnerships (ICP) will continue to provide Medi-Cal Health Enrollment Navigator Project services to target high risk and marginalized groups to increase Medi-Cal enrollment and promote higher retention rates by promoting community access and education.
The Medi-Cal program is California’s Medicaid program, established to provide low-cost or no-cost public health insurance to low-income and disabled individuals. Assembly Bill 74 (Chapter 23, Statutes 2019) (Budget Act of 2019) authorized grant funding for Medi-Cal outreach, enrollment, renewal/retention, and troubleshooting services, hereafter called “navigation services,” directed to several groups who have experienced limited access and decreased enrollment within the Medi-Cal program.
Medi-Cal Health Enrollment Navigators funding is utilized for the enrollment and retention of an estimated 2,520 individuals, with a focus on targeting specific populations. Upon approval by the Board of Supervisors (Board), LLU ICP will continue to work with the County to develop Medi-Cal outreach strategies targeting the following populations:
1. Aged persons
2. Persons who are homeless
3. Immigrants and families with mixed immigration status
4. Persons with limited English proficiency
5. Young people of color
6. Low-wage workers and their families or dependents
7. Uninsured children and youth formerly enrolled in Medi-Cal
The goals of the Medi-Cal Health Enrollment Navigator Project are to increase the number of Medi-Cal applications received from the various target populations and expand Medi-Cal education and access through the provision of outreach and enrollment events focused on the target populations and by performing activities resulting in retention of Medi-Cal recipients. LLU ICP coordinates and provides virtual outreach events and COVID-19 compliant in-person outreach at strategic locations throughout San Bernardino County, focused on the identified target populations.
PROCUREMENT
On September 29, 2020 (Item No. 70), as the result of a formal procurement, the Board approved Contract No. 20-969 with LLU ICP to provide Medi-Cal Health Enrollment Navigator Project services in the amount of $611,981 for the period of October 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, with two one-year extension options contingent on future funding and by mutual agreement of both parties.
Following notification by DHCS of additional allocation funding and a nine-month extension of this project, on June 8, 2021 (Item No. 90), the Board approved Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 20-969 with LLU ICP for the continued provision of Medi-Cal Health Enrollment Navigator Project services, extending an additional nine months and increasing the amount by $610,149, from $611,981 to $1,222,130, effective July 1, 2021, for the period of October 1, 2020 through March 31, 2022, with one, one-year extension option contingent on future funding and by mutual agreement of both parties.
Contractor performance will continue to be measured by reviewing invoices for accuracy, ensuring LLU remains within budget and by the review and confirmation of the submitted lists of Medi-Cal enrollees by County staff to monitor compliance with the requirements of the contract. County staff also submits quarterly invoices/narratives to DHCS for their review and approval.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on February 25, 2022; County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on March 9, 2022; Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on March 14, 2022; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on March 15, 2022.