REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
December 5, 2023
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SUBJECT
Title
Intergovernmental Transfer Program Agreement with the California Department of Health Care Services for Federal Matching Funds
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District:
1. Approve Intergovernmental Agreement Regarding Transfer of Public Funds (State Contract No. IGT-22-0081) with the California Department of Health Care Services allowing San Bernardino County Fire Protection District to transfer funds to the California Department of Health Care Services to obtain federal matching funds for the costs of providing emergency medical ground transport for Medi-Cal managed care patients enrolled with Molina Healthcare of California Partner Plan, Inc. and the Inland Empire Health Plan during the retroactive state-established claim period of January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022, with a contract term effective January 1, 2022, 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: Scott Tuttle, Interim Deputy Fire Chief, 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 the Intergovernmental Agreement Regarding Transfer of Public Funds (Agreement) will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Agreement with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will allow San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) to continue to receive federal matching funds under the Intergovernmental Transfer (IGT) Program. SBCFPD anticipates net revenue of $1.3 million from this program to help fund the costs of providing emergency medical ground transport services. Under the terms of the Agreement and state law, DHCS may assess a 20% fee related to the amounts transferred to SBCFPD. Appropriation and revenue for the IGT Program are included in SBCFPD’s 2023-24 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Since 2015-16, SBCFPD has contracted with DHCS for participation in the IGT Program as a means to receive federal matching funds for eligible Medi-Cal expenses. In accordance with the IGT Program, SBCFPD transfers funds to DHCS, which in turn uses these funds to increase the amount of Medi-Cal payments (within federal allowed levels) received by SBCFPD for the costs of providing emergency medical ground transport services.
Molina Healthcare of California Partner Plan, Inc. (Molina) and Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) are Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan Providers (MMCPP) offering services to residents eligible for Medi-Cal benefits. IEHP and Molina contract with SBCFPD for emergency medical ground transport services to Medi-Cal managed care patients enrolled with IEHP and Molina. The IGT Program authorizes SBCFPD to receive federal matching funds to support the costs of providing emergency medical ground transport services for Medi-Cal managed care beneficiaries.
On October 25, 2022 (Item No. 96), the Board of Directors (Board) approved Agreement No. 22-997 between DHCS and SBCFPD. On August 8, 2023 (Item No. 60), the Board approved Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 22-997 due to a revision of the capitation rates. DHCS and SBCFPD desire to enter into a new Agreement for the retroactive term of January 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025, for the retroactive state-established claim period of January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022. The Agreement includes updates to the capitation rates for calendar year 2022. The Agreement is retroactive due to annual revision of the capitation rates under the IGT Program. SBCFPD received the new Agreement from DHCS on October 25, 2023.
Approval of the recommended Agreement will allow SBCFPD to continue to participate in the IGT program related to emergency medical ground transportation to Medi-Cal managed care patients enrolled with Molina and IEHP. The Agreement is recommended because the IGT Program continues to be financially beneficial for SBCFPD.
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 October 30, 2023; Finance (Tom Forster, Administrative Analyst, 387-4635) on November 6, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on November 14, 2023.