REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 26, 2024
FROM
JAMES LOCURTO, Interim Director, Transitional Assistance Department
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Contract with Loma Linda University Institute for Community Partnerships to Provide Medi-Cal Health Enrollment Navigators Project Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 22-1235 with Loma Linda University Institute for Community Partnerships to provide assistance with Medi-Cal Health Enrollment application renewals and redetermination packets, updating the scope of work to target high risk and marginalized groups, including outreach efforts and tracking requirement services, with no change to the total contract amount of $2,060,699 or term of December 6, 2022 through June 30, 2026.
(Presenter: James LoCurto, Interim Director, 388-0245)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
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). The total cost for Medi-Cal Health Enrollment Navigators Project (Project) services will not exceed $2,060,699 and is State-funded by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Human Services Administrative Claim 2023-24 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On December 6, 2022 (Item No. 56), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved Contract No. 22-1235 with Loma Linda University Institute for Community Partnerships (LLU) to provide Medi-Cal enrollment and renewal support services (Services), in the amount of $2,060,299, for the period of December 6, 2022 through June 30, 2026, with one additional one-year extension option by mutual agreement of both parties. Approval of Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 22-1235 will update the scope of work to focus on providing Services to an estimated 3,630 customers from high-risk and marginalized groups, such as individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, in a county or state prison, and/or affected by Medi-Cal eligibility expansions, that have been discontinued or are on a renewal list. The aim is to increase Medi-Cal enrollment and promote higher program retention rates for these groups by expanding program access and education. In addition to Medi-Cal enrollment services, LLU will assist these customers retain Medi-Cal benefits through timely application renewals. It is anticipated that an estimated 300 customers per month will complete the renewal process. Amendment No. 1 also updates general contract terms and conditions.
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. Senate Bill 154 (Chapter 43, Statutes of 2022) authorized grant funding for Medi-Cal program outreach, enrollment, renewal, and troubleshooting services (hereafter called “navigation services”), and focused efforts to several groups with limited access and decreased enrollment within the Medi-Cal program.
LLU will continue to work with the Transitional Assistance Department (TAD) to develop Medi-Cal outreach strategies, targeting the following populations:
• Persons age 65 and older
• Persons who are homeless
• Immigrants and families with mixed immigration status
• Persons with limited English proficiency
• Young people of color
• Low-wage workers and their families or dependents
• Uninsured children and youth formerly enrolled in Medi-Cal
Approval of Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 22-1235 will increase Medi-Cal program enrollment, retention, and successful renewals of targeted groups on the renewal list and individuals whose benefits have been discontinued. These goals will be met by performing activities such as assisting with applications and redetermination packets, providing information at community events, including general information and problem-solving assistance. LLU will coordinate and provide virtual and in-person outreach events at strategic locations throughout the county, focused on assisting the target populations. The yearly allocated budget will be spent on operating expenses for the program including communication, marketing, outreach, event supplies, and personnel.
PROCUREMENT
As a result of a competitive procurement completed in 2020, on December 6, 2022 (Item No. 56), the Board of Supervisors approved Contract No. 22-1235 with LLU ICP to provide Project services, in the amount of $2,060,299, for the period of December 6, 2022 through June 30, 2026, with one additional one-year extension option by mutual agreement of both parties. Purchasing continues to support this competitive procurement based on the formal Request for Proposals No. HSSA20-HSSA-3660.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on February 7, 2024; County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 8, 2024; Purchasing (Ariel Gill, Supervising Buyer, 387-2070) on February 14, 2024; Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on March 11, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on March 11, 2024.